BNFL/COGEMA statement (US version):

Press Statement, January 22 1998

Shipment of Vitrified Residue

On 18 December 1997, FEPC, Cogema and BNFL announced that the voyage route for the shipment of vitrified residues from France to Japan would be communicated one day after the actual departure date.

The Pacific Swan left Cherbourg on January 21 at 3:15 a.m. She is now en route to Japan via the Panama Canal.

The approximate timing of arrival in Japan is the beginning of March.

The Pacific Swan is a purpose-built ship operated by Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL). She has transited the Panama Canal with used nuclear fuel on 28 previous occasions.

In total, over 4,000 casks (specially designed transport packages) have been safely transported by PNTL between Japan and Europe since the mid-1960's in over 160 shipments with over 90 per cent transiting the Canal.

PNTL, is the most experienced company in the world for transporting this type of cargo, having covered 4.5 million miles without a single incident resulting in the release of radioactivity. The Pacific Swan has extensive duplication of equipment and comprehensive safety and emergency systems. The PNTL fleet of ships have the highest IMO safety rating and the transport casks meet the rigorous IAEA safety standards.

For further information contact:

Gavin Carter at BNFL's Washington, DC office on (202) 429-6655 or (202) 316-6655 (mobile), the BNFL press office in the UK on (44) 1925-832450 or the BNFL internet site at http://www.bnfl.com

Jean-Claude Guais at Cogema, Inc.'s Bethesda, Maryland office on (301) 986-8585 or the Cogema internet site at http://www.cogema.fr