HOME / CORPORATE / ORANO, MITSUBISHI AGREE ON TRANSPORT PACKAGE POOLING

Orano, Mitsubishi agree on transport package pooling

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

The innovative package-sharing service is modelled on car-sharing, and will provide a simplified and competitive way of managing the transport of enriched uranium hexafluoride using DN30 transport casks, Orano said.

Orano, Mitsubishi agree on transport package pooling — A DN30 package (Image: Orano Group)

Orano's nuclear logistics subsidiary Orano NPS signed a contract with Japanese fuel manufacturer Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel (MNF) to create a package sharing group during the PATRAM 22 symposium on the packaging and transportation of radioactive materials, which is taking place in Juan-les-Pins, France from 11-15 June.

This is an innovative service offering for the nuclear industry, based on use rather than individual ownership, Orano said. MNF - part of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group - will have access to a pool of DN30 casks according to its own specific needs.

As well as providing access to a fleet of casks sized to meet varying requirements including load peaks, the service also includes the provision of centralised fleet management centres with specialised resources for inspection, maintenance and re-certification of DN30 casks, Orano said. The service package also includes a specialised service to guarantee continuity of approvals and availability of the DN30 casks.

Enriched UF6 is transported in Type 30B cylinders loaded into a protective structural packaging, or PSP - also known as an overpack - which offers protection against mechanical and thermal impacts due to possible accidents during transportation. The DN30 package was developed by Daher Nuclear Technologies GmbH, renamed Orano NCS after its acquisition by the Orano group in 2021.

Orano NPS said it intends to offer the rental-sharing service all its customers worldwide.