Transport of Nuclear Material by Sea: Challenges for a Coastal State

Transports of nuclear material have taken place for a long time along different routes and for different purposes. Although there has not been a major accident during the transport of nuclear material, some routes have proven too onerous as a result of security concerns, requiring longer less-direct routes to be used. The result has been that transport operations are often not optimized from a coastal states perspective. The expectations from a coastal state for information about nuclear shipments are discussed in relation to the need for confidentiality and for contingency planning. Relevant examples from both Norway and New Zealand are given, showing the need for further development of routines and procedures for information sharing and emergency preparedness. This also extends to the transport of other types of dangerous goods, as shown by the examples given.