International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has called for more Member States to appoint a national focal point on denials of shipment of radioactive materials. Speaking during a webinar organised by the independent Transport Facilitation Working Group and hosted last week by World Nuclear Association, he said having more NFPs would result in the smoother transport of radioactive materials around the globe.

Holtec is preparing to increase production of its HI-STAR casks, following the receipt of regulatory approvals and new orders in Europe. The first HI-STAR 150 was loaded at the Cofrentes nuclear power plant in Spain and placed into the storage facility on 23 June. This is Holtec's first dual-purpose metal cask loaded in Europe.

China has manufactured its first domestically-designed 100-tonne used fuel transportation cask. China National Nuclear Corporation said batch production of the Longzhou-CNSC cask - which can hold 21 used fuel assemblies - will further consolidate its used fuel transportation capabilities.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries have announced plans to work together on the development of a molten salt reactor for marine propulsion and floating nuclear power plants. Samsung Heavy Industries is also carrying out R&D into using ammonia and hydrogen to power ships in efforts to find alternative, low-emission propulsion options.

A new specialist nuclear transport organisation has officially launched today in the UK. Nuclear Transport Solutions, part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, operates Direct Rail Services and Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited, which provide rail and shipping services, respectively. The NDA is also in the process of integrating its radioactive waste management businesses.

Given the scale and urgency of the required clean transition combined with the growth of the global energy system, all zero-carbon hydrogen production options must be pursued, energy research and consultancy firm LucidCatalyst stresses in its latest report. The report, Missing Link to a Livable Climate, describes how to decarbonise "a substantial portion" of the global energy system, for which there is currently "no viable alternative", and presents the six actions that are needed.

The US Department of Energy has been given approval by the Association of American Railroads to begin building and testing the Fortis specialised railcar for the transportation of used nuclear fuel. Fortis is one of two railcars being developed by DOE and could be operational within the next five years.

Partially used irradiated fuel from the Finnish Reactor 1 in Espoo, Finland, has been transported to the USA for use in a TRIGA Mark I research reactor operated by the US Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado. Dismantling of the Finnish reactor, which was shut down in 2015, is scheduled to begin at the end of 2022.

Two disused radioactive sources, previously used in cancer treatment, have been transported to safe and secure storage locations in the Republic of the Congo. The relocation of the sources - which are expected to be exported outside the country next year - was supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The nuclear plant licensing system should be rationalised to promote the extensive deployment at competitive cost of new reactors, according to a report issued this month by the Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing Working Group of World Nuclear Association.

China's first ship for the transport of used nuclear fuel has been delivered to China National Nuclear Corporation. The independently produced double-hulled vessel meets the INF-3 (Irradiated Nuclear Fuel class 3) standards set by the International Maritime Organisation.