The first shipping cask of vitrified residues left the Valognes rail terminal today for Belgium.
This first shipment of vitrified residues from France to Belgium falls under spent fuel reprocessing agreements between COGEMA and SYNATOM. The agreements call for the return of final waste, which is conditioned after reprocessing, to the country of origin.
This principal is also stated in the Law of December 30, 1991 on radioactive waste management research. The vitrified residues is the first conditioned waste to be shipped to Belgium. The shipment was preceded by a final test on a shipping cask mock-up on February 24 in the Mol train station (Antwerp Province).
ONDRAF and SYNATOM issued the following press release today: "ONDRAF and SYNATOM announced the first shipment of vitrified residues from France to Belgium in a joint press release dated February 2, 2000.
In this framework, and based on the current schedule, this first shipment should arrive in Belgium on April 5, 2000. "The shipping cask loaded with 28 canisters of vitrified residues will arrive by rail at the Mol train station around 5:30 am.
It will be unloaded from the rail car and placed on a road vehicle for transport to the specialized storage building at the Belgoprocess site in Dessel. "The press is welcome at 'Mega Action Mol", Keirlandse Zillen, 7, 2400 Mol, starting at 5:00 am."