Stena stop transporting radioactive cargo – Göteborgs-Posten

Stena stop transporting radioactive cargo – Göteborgs-Posten

Stena Line stops now with shipments of radioactive goods. “Transport has caused concern,” says CIO Jesper Waltersson.

GP reported in March that radioactive cargo transported on Stena Line ferries between Rostock on the German Baltic coast and Trelleborg in southern Sweden – together with ordinary passengers. The revelation was made originally by the journal Filters.

Last year was shipped 56 tons of the substance uranium hexafluoride, known as hex, on the route Rostock-Trelleborg. This year it’s about roughly the same amounts. The uranium hexafluoride is used in the Swedish nuclear power plants and imported by Westinghouse.

At year-end, the Stena with transport.

– The freight rates have created some concern. The route is primarily to carry goods but because we also have passengers on board, we do not interfere with the deal, says Jesper Waltersson, Communications Manager at Stena Line.

Have you got many reactions after the revelation of March?

– We have received a few questions, but they have not led to any cancellations. Our passengers are aware that we also ship cargo on board, but it is clear that the transportation of radioactive material stands out and creates more anxiety than other transports, answers Jesper Waltersson.

The freight rates of hex on the route Rostock-Trelleborg was handled from the beginning of the company, Scandlines, Stena Line has been a partner in since 2000. In May 2012, Stena Line took over the line completely.

– This included these shipments. There are no large volumes and no big deal for us and because there is a risk of unrest among the passengers we cease with shipments beginning of next year, says Jesper Waltersson.

How future supplies of hex to the factory for production of nuclear fuel that drives the company Westinghouse in Västerås shall fall, Stena Line Communications unaware of.

– There are many lines that run between Germany and Sweden. Another alternative is understood that transport is by road, says Jesper Waltersson.

Facts

The transport of uranium hexafluoride goes to the nuclear plant Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB operates in Vasteras. Here are manufactured fuel assemblies used in both Swedish and foreign nuclear power plants. The business started in 1966 by the then ASEA Atom.

Source: Radiation Safety