PNTL Ships: Pacific Heron, Pacific Grebe, Pacific Egret

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.

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.

Pacific Egret (2010)

The Pacific Egret is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is the second of the new generation of PNTL vessels and, like the Pacific Heron, her design builds on the experience of operating purpose-built nuclear carriers since 1979. The Pacific Egret 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.

Pacific Grebe (2010)

The Pacific Grebe is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). She is the third of the new generation of PNTL vessels and, like her sister ships the Pacific Heron and Pacific Egret, her design builds on the experience of operating purpose-built nuclear carriers since 1979. The Pacific Grebe is primarily designed for shipping conditioned nuclear waste. Pacific Grebe will enter full service in 2011.

PNTL Ships

PNTL Ships

Pacific Heron (2008)

Pacific Egret (2010)

Pacific Grebe (2010)

PNTL INF 3 Vessel