A new nuclear transport flask has been successfully loaded onto a Barrow based specialist ship. Marking an important step for future spent nuclear fuel movements around the world.
Nuclear Transport Solutions has developed the new flask, known as the TN Eagle. It is described as the largest flask ever transported by the company and has now been successfully test-fitted onto Pacific Grebe. A specialist vessel operated by Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited.
The work included initial trials at Barrow Marine Terminal, followed by a full-scale test fitting in Cherbourg, France. The 150-tonne flask was placed in different holds on the ship to check compatibility and safety.
What Has Happened?
A new container designed to carry spent nuclear fuel has been successfully loaded onto a specialist ship.
The flask, called TN Eagle, was tested with the Pacific Grebe. Which is part of the specialist nuclear transport fleet operated by Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited.
The successful test means the flask is now closer to being used for future international movements of spent nuclear fuel.
Trials Started at Barrow Marine Terminal
The process began with initial trials at Barrow Marine Terminal.
Barrow plays an important role in specialist nuclear shipping, with vessels linked to Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited operating from the town.
The tests at Barrow helped engineers prepare for the more detailed fitting work that later took place in France.
Full-Scale Test Fitting Took Place in France
After the initial Barrow trials, a full-scale test fitting was carried out in Cherbourg, France.
The 150-tonne flask was placed into different holds on the Pacific Grebe. This allowed transport experts and engineers to check that the ship could safely carry the new design.
The test was not just about whether the flask could fit. It also checked how it would sit inside the ship’s hold and whether it could be properly secured for future journeys.
Adapter Plate Built to Secure the Flask
Because the TN Eagle is a new and larger flask design, engineers had to adapt the ship to carry it safely.
An adapter plate was made so the cargo could be securely fitted inside the ship’s hold.
This is important because nuclear transport requires very strict safety and engineering standards. Any flask used to move spent nuclear fuel must be held securely during loading, transport and unloading.
Why the TN Eagle Flask Matters
The TN Eagle has been developed to transport spent nuclear fuel.
Spent nuclear fuel is highly controlled and must be moved using specialist containers, vessels and handling procedures.
The successful test fitting means Nuclear Transport Solutions can move forward with plans to use the flask as part of its specialist transport work.
Pacific Grebe First Ship to Be Adapted
The Pacific Grebe was the first ship in the Nuclear Transport Solutions fleet to be adapted for the new flask.
The work was carried out by NTS transport experts and specialist engineers, alongside Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited.
Conner Love, NTS director of shipping, said the project showed the organisation’s expertise in nuclear shipping and engineering. He said the successful completion of the project was “just the beginning” as the company prepares for future spent fuel movements around the globe.
Second Ship Set to Be Adapted
A second ship, Pacific Egret, is also expected to be adapted in the near future so it can transport the new TN Eagle flask.
This would give the specialist fleet more capacity and flexibility when carrying out future nuclear transport operations.
Important Development for Barrow’s Nuclear Shipping Role
The successful test is another reminder of Barrow’s role in the UK’s specialist nuclear transport sector.
Although the full-scale fitting took place in France, the process followed earlier work at Barrow Marine Terminal. The ship involved, Pacific Grebe, is part of a specialist fleet closely linked to Barrow’s maritime and nuclear transport operations.
The successful loading of the TN Eagle flask marks a key step before the new design is used for future spent nuclear fuel movements.
