Pacific Forum concern over April nuclear shipment [1]
Friday, April 8, 2005 - 09:15. Updated on Thursday, May 8, 2014 - 17:28.
Press release - Forum Secretariat
Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin, has again expressed concern about shipments of radioactive materials which transit through parts of the Pacific region.
The latest shipment of vitrified residues departed from France on 17 February 2005 and is expected to transit through parts of the exclusive economic zones of Pacific Island Forum members in the first half of April, on its way to Japan. Forum members have received assurances from the shipping states that the measures taken for the safety and security of the shipments accord with international guidelines.
However, the Forum remains concerned that present international arrangements for liability and compensation do not adequately address the risks posed by shipments through the region.
...We welcome the recent assurances from shipping States that they will take all practicable action to assist in the management of any incident in the region, and will cooperate effectively with any state concerned..., Greg Urwin said.
...At the same time, we have a real worry about possible economic loss in the event of an incident involving a nuclear shipment, whether or not that incident results in a radioactive release. The fragile economies of Forum Island Countries depend heavily on industries involving our ocean, such as fisheries and tourism.
...We continue to seek assurances from the shipping states that where there is a demonstrable link between an incident and economic loss, Forum members will not be left to carry such a loss unsupported,... he said.
The Forum has been in dialogue with representatives of the shipping states for several years on issues of safety, security and liability in relation to the shipments, and is continuing to advocate further strengthening of regional arrangements and international regulatory regimes.