Japan launches nuclear carrier for Barrow

A new £30 million nuclear freight ship to be based in Barrow, UK, was launched in Japan recently. The 4,500 tonne ?Pacific Heron? was launched by Mitsui Shipbuilding and Engineering at its Tamano shipyard.

Built for the UK-based Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) to carry high level nuclear waste and the controversial Mox recycled fuel containing plutonium, around the world, it will, like its predecessors, be armed with gun at the BAE shipyard after it arrives in its home port of Barrow at the end of this year. The contract includes an option for a second newbuilding.

PNTL is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, but Japan and France have part ownership of the fleet. The fleet of six nuclear waste carriers in Barrow has, recently, been reduced to two on active service after one of the two existing armed Mox ships, Pacific Teal, was judged to need scrapping.

?Pacific Swan? and ?Pacific Crane? have been scrapped in the last two years and the ?European Shearwater? has been sidelined. Only the armed ?Pacific Pintail? and the ?Pacific Sandpiper? remain on the active list.

The British Nuclear Group gave UK shipbuilders, including BAE, a chance to bid to build ?Pacific Heron? but yards including Barrow were not interested. BAE said the low value contract for one small ship did not fit its portfolio.