PNTL orders more ships from Mitsui

23 July 2007

Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd (PTNL) of the UK announced that it had ordered two new purpose-built ships from Japanese shipbuilder Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding for transporting radioactive materials. Mitsui is currently constructing the Pacific Heron for PNTL at its Tamano shipyard in Japan. The vessel was launched in May and is set to be delivered to PNTL in November 2007. Under the new contract, Mitsui will design and construct two further INF 3 ships which are scheduled to be in service by late 2010. John Clarke, managing director of International Nuclear Services, said: "The Pacific Heron, and the two additional vessels, will form part of an ongoing commitment to provide a dedicated specialist nuclear transport operation. The PNTL fleet has an exemplary record with over 5 million miles (8 million km) travelled without any incident resulting in the release of radioactivity. The new ships will enhance and extend our capability even further." PNTL said that the commissioning of the Pacific Heron and the additional vessels are part of an ongoing review of options for the its fleet and will ensure that suitable vessels are available to carry out any future transports of nuclear material between Europe and Japan.

Further information

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd
Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd

WNA's Transport of Radioactive Materials information paper

WNN: PNTL's Pacific Heron launched in Japan

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