TRANSPORTATION

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SECRET SHIPMENTS
Fake real shipments. that stick out a mile

The principle underlying these plutonium shipments is "SECRECY". At the La Hague plant, plutonium oxide is packaged into boxes weighing close to 3 kilos, themselves placed in groups of four or five into FS47 type containers (photograph opposite). These containers are shipped in groups of ten in classic ISO 20'' containers in Mercedes brand trucks towards the Marcoule (Gard), Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône) and Dessel (Belgium) plants. More >

Theoretically, the itineraries and schedules of these shipments are to be modified between each journey. However, in reality this is far from being the case, as we were able to observe. Although, in the past, the limited number of shipments allowed these safety rules to be respected, the considerable increase in circulation volume has led operators progressively to reduce precautions. Industrial imperatives now rule shipment scheduling and routing.

Thus, two to three times a week, shipments occur systematically following a well-oiled scenario. Every Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at exactly 13h00, one of the three Cogema Logistic trucks leaves the La Hague establishment for Marcoule or Cadarache.

The trucks carrying these shipments are described as "unmarked", here again to "prevent" their identification. However, despite their resemblance to classic low-level nuclear waste shipments, identification of these trucks does not require a very skilled eye.

Plutonium transportation
surveillance centre

In the current geopolitical context, it is incredible to say the least that the nuclear industry should take such a foolish risk.

300 to 450 kilos of pure plutonium travel the La Hague - Marcoule/Cadarache axis each week : enough to make fifty nuclear bombs, not to mention direct use of the powder as a "dirty bomb".

The transportation of this lethal product must be stopped immediately !

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