Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), part of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), has been commissioned by UK nuclear start-up newcleo to carry out feasibility studies in several areas of nuclear transport requirements. NTS will support newcleo by investigating packaging solutions for nuclear fuel; physical security for nuclear fuel; and transport routing and asset options.
NTS provides specialist transport and logistics expertise to support customers and partners around the world to solve their own complex transportation challenges. NTS oversee three specialist nuclear vessels, a fleet of over 100 locomotives, and a 700+ strong team. They operate DRS (Direct Rail Services) and PNTL (Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited) which deliver rail and shipping activities, building on decades of experience of providing safe, secure and reliable transport solutions. NTS have locations in the UK, France, and Japan.
Seth Kybird, NTS CEO, said: “Our work in undertaking a number of feasibility studies for newcleo is a great example of NTS, as specialists in the transportation of nuclear fuel, using our expertise to advise external partners on how best to address their individual transport challenges. This collaboration will help to support the delivery of energy ambitions both within the UK and overseas.”
Andrew Murdoch, newcleo Managing Director, UK Operations, said: “I am delighted to embark on these studies with NTS, which will cover a range of nuclear materials that are part of the newcleo fuel cycle, including mox fuel. newcleo’s mixed oxide (mox) fuel manufacturing facilities will be located in France, and movement of mox fuel to our reactor sites, including those in the UK, will need to be managed to the highest standards of safety and security in line with stringent regulation. We look forward to collaborating with NTS and benefitting from their significant expertise as we build a new competitive industrial standard for nuclear in the UK and beyond.”
This adds to newcleo’s growing list of agreements and acquisitions since it was launched in 2021 to promote its ambitious plans to develop dead-cooled fast reactors and innovative fuel manufacturing facilities. However, as yet the company has produced no basic designs for these facilities and its target of launching its first reactor in France in 2030 seems unlikely to be met.
