Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
SHIPMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan has been informed about a planned shipment of nuclear waste from Europe to Japan. He is expecting confirmation on the intended route the ship will take on 23 December 1996.
Minister Jordan has however received assurances that the ship will not pass through South African territorial waters.
Minister Jordan has been briefed on the extensive range of safety measures that have been put into place around this shipment. The vessel carrying the waste of recycled plutonium will be monitored by a team of nuclear experts on a twenty-four basis and comprehensive emergency plans exist to adequately deal with any eventuality. The vessel, designed specifically for the transport of nuclear material has the highest safety rating and the transport flasks meet rigorous safety standards. These flasks are specially designed for the particular radioactive material they carry, give protection to the workers and the public against radiation and are designed to withstand the most serious accidents.
Subsequently, Minister Jordan is confident that there is very little likelihood of the shipment having any impact on South Africa and South African waters.
ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
If hou have any further queries, please contact:
Cassandra Gabriel Cellular: 082 573 4168 Public Relations Officer Office: (012) 219587/8 Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Fax: (012) 323 5181