SPECIALIST radioactive materials carrier company Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) says it has ordered two new purpose built ships from Japanese shipbuilders Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding.

The yard, which is currently building an INF 3 radioactive materials carrier, the Pacific Heron, at Tamano is now design and build two further ships which are scheduled to be in service by late 2010.

John Clarke, Managing Director of International Nuclear Services said: “We are delighted that our long-standing Japanese customers have given us the go-ahead to order an additional two ships, and are very grateful for their continued confidence in us to safely and successfully run the PNTL fleet.”

He added: “The Pacific Heron, and the two additional vessels, will form part of an ongoing commitment to provide a dedicated specialist nuclear transport operation. The PNTL fleet has an exemplary record with over five million miles travelled without any incident resulting in the release of radioactivity. The new ships will enhance and extend our capability even further.”

The company says that the commissioning of the Pacific Heron and the additional vessels are part of an ongoing review of options for the PNTL fleet and will ensure that suitable vessels are available to carry out any future transports of nuclear material between Europe and Japan.

Mitsui issued a statement saying: “We are proud that we have been selected to build two new vessels for PNTL, the world’s most experienced shipper of nuclear cargoes who have a thirty-year record of reliability and a special focus on safety.”

The two additional vessels will be a development of the design of the current PNTL ships, that provide a safe and reliable service with the cargo compartments protected by a double hull configuration together with back-up availability of all essential systems.