Transport
STUK oversees also the safety of the transport of nuclear wastes. The safety of transport is based in particular on a strong transport cask, the structure of which is carefully regulated. The cask is manufactured of special steel and the durability of the cask must be proved by tests. The cask must protect nuclear waste against accidents and sabotage.
Nowadays in Finland, there is not a need to transport spent nuclear fuel, as all fuel is stored on-site at the nuclear power plants. Until 1996 spent nuclear fuel from the Loviisa NPP was shipped by rail to the Mayak reprocessing facility in Russia. In time, spent nuclear fuel from the Loviisa NPP must be taken to Olkiluoto for final disposal. The transfer can take place by rail, road, or sea.
The nuclear waste transport cask is tested in situations comparable to real accidents. The cask is made of nodular cast iron of about 30 cm thickness.
