PNTL Ships

PNTL Ships

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PNTL has successfully completed over 170 shipments of used nuclear fuel, vitrified high-level waste, mixed oxide (MOX) fuel and plutonium since it was established in 1975.

The PNTL ships were designed after wide consultation with Lloyds of London, the Salvage Association and leading salvage companies. They have cargo compartments protected by a double hull configuration and duplication and separation of all essential systems. This means that if any important system fails during a voyage, there is always a back-up ready to be brought into operation.

Each PNTL ship undergoes regular maintenance inspections and operational equipment is checked and tested prior to each voyage from PNTL's home port of Barrow, England.

The Pacific Sandpiper is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She transports used nuclear fuel, research reactor used fuel and vitrified high-level waste, travelling principally between Europe and Japan. The Pacific Sandpiper has also made special visits to IMO meetings in London and to open days in Cape Town and Durban to enable the public and VIPs to see for themselves the safety features on PNTL ships.

Pacific Pintail (1987)

The Pacific Pintail is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is fitted with additional security features that enable her to transport MOX fuel and plutonium dioxide. The Pacific Pintail is fitted with fixed naval guns and has other additional physical protection systems, only some of which are visible from the outside.

Pacific Heron (2008)

The Pacific Heron is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is the first of a new generation of PNTL vessels and her design builds on the experience of operating purpose-built nuclear carriers since 1979. The Pacific Heron has security features that enable her to transport MOX fuel and plutonium dioxide. She is fitted with fixed naval guns and has other additional physical protection systems, only some of which are visible from the outside.

PNTL INF 3 Vessel

				Pacific Heron	Pacific Sandpiper
	LENGTH			104 metres	104 metres
	BEAM (width)			17 metres	16 metres
	DEADWEIGHT			4,916 tonnes	3,775 tonnes
	DISPLACEMENT			9,667 tonnes	7,725 tonnes
	ENGINE			2 Diesel Engines, each with 3600 hp	2 Diesel Engines, each with 1900 hp
	MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY			20 casks	24 casks

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