Considerations for the Maritime Transport of Category I Quantities of Fissile Materials

Following decades of steadily increasing fissile material inventories, nations worldwide recognized the importance of minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and plutonium in civil commerce to prevent these materials from falling into the hands of terrorists. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, working with international partners to stabilize and repackage HEU and plutonium materials in transport-ready Type B nuclear material packages so they can be safely transported to the United States or other partner nations for permanent disposition. While the scope of materials eligible for return has evolved from the first shipments of U.S.-origin spent nuclear fuel to more recent shipments of unirradiated HEU and plutonium, among other materials, the mission to minimize the use of weapons-usable nuclear material in civilian commerce has remained constant.As the scope of materials removed has broadened, so too have solutions for the safe and secure transportation of these materials. As recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Information Circular 225 (INFCIRC/225/Rev. 5), transportation of Category I quantities of HEU and plutonium carries special obligations, including the use of a dedicated transport vessel with the requisite security infrastructure; physical security posture to protect the cargo; and integration of a central command and control center into transport operations.Over the past ten years, DOE/NNSA and its international partners have worked closely with International Nuclear Services (INS) to facilitate the secure maritime transport of plutonium and HEU from countries in Europe and Asia. This paper will describe the key considerations in developing a Category I maritime transport strategy and the attributes of the operational plan, using recently completed missions as examples. The paper will also highlight the steps involved in implementing the principles of INFCIRC/225/Rev. 5 for Category I transport, describing key features of the dedicated vessel(s) used for transport, the process to obtain competent authority engagement and approval, the integration of the relevant regulators and stakeholders into the planning process, and the command and control structure for operations implementation. It will conclude with key lessons learned from these transport activities.