THE ROLE OF NATIONAL AUTHORITIES IN MINIMIZING DENIALS OF SHIPMENTS - Presentation

Denials and delays of radioactive shipment have occurred and probably will always do. Reducing instances of denials to acceptable levels may be a tangible goal that consignors and consignees should envisage and pursue. The basis for solving denials and delays includes the participation of not only the national competent authorities but other authorities too. Shippers, consignors, carriers and consignees should include in their consultations the whole range of those authorities which apparently have no role to play but actually do. These \"other authorities\" who represent various State authorities may play an important role on this issue. Successful cases where port authorities, Civil Aviation authorities, airlines and other carriers have agreed to cooperate to minimize the problems are documented. These cases should be broadcast and adapted by other regions taking into account regional/national characteristics and ground realities. Brazil is a case in point as the national competent authority together with other authorities has arrived at a solution to the problem. Some successful cases documented in Brazil, provide the basis of a Model which would be useful for other regions to adopt and adapt. This paper describes and discusses some national experience and how IAEA Member States may use this experience to reduce the instances of denials and delays of radioactive shipment by developing similar models appropriate to their conditions.