The UK’s Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), a leading nuclear transport specialist and part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has signed a strategic agreement with US Westinghouse to co-operate on the development of NTS’s Pegasus transport package. Pegasus is designed to transport High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU), uranium enriched to between 5% and 20% uranium-235 – which is required for many of the next-generation reactor designs currently under development.
The agreement, which was signed at the British Embassy in Washington, formalises the sharing of technical expertise, safety protocols, and design insights between NTS and Westinghouse, with the aim of accelerating development of Pegasus for deployment. It also strengthens collaboration on engineering, regulatory compliance, and fuel handling standards.
NTS is the most experienced transporter of nuclear material in the world with decades of experience and locations in the UK, France and Japan. It operates DRS (Direct Rail Services) and PNTL (Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited) providing safe, secure and reliable transport solutions by rail and ship.
NTS Co-CEO Ben Whittard said: “This partnership allows us to deliver our expertise in the secure transport of advanced nuclear fuel in the UK and US. The growth of AI and the need for reliable, ultra-low carbon energy demonstrates the importance of nuclear power in our future, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of its development.”
In 2024, the UK government awarded NTS £10.5m ($14.4m) to lead the development of the UK’s transport capability for HALEU with an initial £1m in 2023 from the government’s Nuclear Fuel Fund to kick-start the project. The purpose was to create, design, and develop specialised transport packages that can safely and securely transport HALEU in multiple forms. The funding covers the development of road, maritime, and rail transport solutions, ensuring safe transport within the UK and for international export.
Sophie Lemaire, Interim Co-President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, said: “We are very pleased with our new collaboration with NTS to co-develop the Pegasus HALEU transport package. This is an important step in making HALEU available in the US and UK.”
Minister for Nuclear Lord Vallance said: “Developing our own capability to make and transport advanced nuclear fuel is critical to shoring up our position as a nuclear world leader. Not only does this improve our energy security at home and reduce our reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, it provides export opportunities to grow our economy and ensure our allies can build resilient supply chains.”
NDA group CEO, David Peattie, said: “Pegasus represents a transformative step in advancing the UK’s energy independence and low-carbon ambitions, unlocking export potential and cementing the nation’s role as a world leader in nuclear innovation. It also further reinforces NTS’s place as a global leader in delivering safe, secure, and dependable nuclear transport and logistics solutions.”
Currently, only Russia and China can produce HALEU at scale. However, in May 2025 the UK government announced it was awarding £196m to Urenco to build a uranium enrichment facility at Capenhurst with the capacity to produce up to 10 tonnes of HALEU a year by 2031. In the US, the Department of Energy is funding multiple projects to support HALEU production.
