A document in CORE’s possession shows that the Union representing the crews of the PNTL (Pacific Nuclear Transport Lmited) ships Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal are seeking huge wage increases to compensate the crews during the transport of MOX fuel from Sellafield to Japan later this year. The UK shipment will contain around 200kg of weapons-useable plutonium. A letter from NUMAST (National Union of Marine, Aviation & Shipping Transport Officers) dated 8th June 1999, and headed ‘PNTL MOX Negotiations’ reveals that an increase in salary of 75% is to be requested for all officers sailing on these vessels. The Pintail and Teal have recently undergone major refurbishment in Barrow’s VSEL Dock. The work, undertaken by Marconi Marine (the defence arm of GEC), has included the arming of each ship with three 30mm canon, new satellite communications systems and new accommodation to house a UKAEA Police security crew and weapons systems. Arming of the British merchant ships, unprecedented in peace time, makes a mockery of BNFL’s claims that the transport of weapon’s-useable plutonium in MOX form presents no terrorist threat or is in any way dangerous. The shipment has already been internationally condemned and banned from the territorial waters of numerous countries en route. A CORE spokesperson said today “ this latest twist – the crews’ wage demand – shows exactly the level of danger with which they themselves view this shipment. With naval guns and extra UKAEA police security guards, the risks and dangers of this unecessary plutonium trade are now blatantly transparent and condemn the ships as being the plutonium pariahs of the high seas “ The shipment, consisting of 8 MOX fuel assemblies fabricated at Sellafield’s MOX Demonstration Facility, is destined for Kansai Electric Power’s Takahama power station in central Japan. A further consignment of MOX assemblies will be collected in France prior to the non-stop voyage to Japan. Expected to take at least 40 days the shipment could herald the start of an estimated 80 future transports of MOX fuel from Europe to Japan . A House of Commons Early Day Motion, signed by over 150 MP’s, calls on the Government to initiate a full public debate on the security and environmental implications of the international plutonium trade. Each ship’s complement of between 25-30 crew members will be bolstered by around 13 UKAEA guards who will be armed with assault rifles, shotguns and hand weapons as well as body armour and gas masks. Both ships left Barrow on 23rd June for sea-trials. Associated British Ports who operate Barrow Docks are currently awaiting the outcome of an application for an explosives licence from the Health & Safety Executive for BNFL’s Marine Terminal at Ramsden Dock so that ammunition can be loaded onto the MOX ships. The application has been subject to public consultation. For further information contact CORE.