Development of a sea transport system for MOX powder

Ouchi, Yuichiro ; Tadokoro, Noboru; Kitamura, Takafumi; Yoshida, Sachimasa; Kurita, Ichiro 

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is planning to procure uranium and plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) powder necessary for the prototype fast breeder reactor MONJU and experimental reactor JOYO from Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP), which is operated by the Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL). When both reactors operate as planned, an annual quantity of MOX is estimated at two tons (600 kg of fissile Pu). JAEA has developed a sea transport system including a transport package, shipping containers, vehicles, a ship, and ports, etc., to safely and securely transport large amounts of MOX powder compliant with physical protection measures for Category I materials. This paper describes development of the transport package and shipping container, and will outline the sea transport plan.