Two huge container ships, namely the Pacific Heron and the Pacific Egret, left Barrow-in-Furness in England last month, guarded by Royal Navy sub and 50 commandos to transport nuclear fuel for 80 missiles.
Ship carrying 331 kg load of plutonium can be used to make 80 nuclear warheads. This makes the secret mission a deadly target for terrorists and other anti social elements.
The Ship is on its way to Japan to pick up the cargo which is destined ultimately for US nuclear storage facility in South Carolina. They may sail across the Atlantic before passing through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific on their way to Japan and the return journey to the American eastern seaboard from East Asia would normally again be made via the Panama Canal.
Nuclear expert John Large is reported to have said: “The cargo is invaluable and part of a secret trade in fissile materials between the likes of the UK and US. The biggest risk is a fire or an external missile strike.”
“This is bomb-grade nuclear material and a terror group or rogue state would want to intercept it.” The ships are operated by International Nuclear Services, an NDA subsidiary. A spokesman said: “I can confirm that the specialist nuclear cargo vessels are currently taking part in a voyage but, in accordance with normal procedures, I can’t disclose any operational details for security reasons.”
“The transportation of nuclear materials is a tried and tested practice that’s been in place for decades without any major incidents. The UK is a world leader in this area.”
Source: Daily Mail
