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Nuclear waste returned to Germany amid protests

Seven castor containers filled with illed with highly radioactive nuclear waste were transferred from the 'Pacific Grebe' to train in Nordenham for transport to Bavaria, after the ship docked in the port on the morning of April 1, 2025, amid protests and a heightened police presence. The nuclear waste is being transported from Sellafieldto a temporary storage unit in Niederaichbach. The waste left the port of Barrow-in-Furness on March 26. The nuclear waste was what remained after the reprocessing of fuel elements from decommissioned German nuclear power plants. The first of the containers, which are four meters long and weigh over 100 tons, was lifted off the "Pacific Grebe" by a large crane and underwent inspection to measure radiation levels and ensure they matched those taken in Sellafield. The port in Nordenham remained sealed off and guarded by heavily armed police, who have thus far reported no incidents, despite a number of protests by anti-atomic energy groups. Further protests are planned along the presumed route of the train carrying the waste over the coming days, including in the cities of Bremen and Göttingen. Report with photo: https://www.dw.com/en/nuclear-waste-returns-to-germany-amid-protests/a-72108958

Unloading of nuclear waste completed

The last of the Castor containers have been unloaded from the 'Pacific Grebe' in Nordenham on Nov 3. The cargo operations had been interrupted due to inclement weather conditions in the afternoon of Nov 2, but resumed in the evening when the fourth of six containers was unloaded. In the morning of Nov 3 the work was continued and completed in the foremidday hours so that the nuclear waste can be transported to Biblis by train the departure of which was not yet known.

Nuclear carrier without AIS signal heading from England to Germany

The 'Pacific Grebe' carrying six castor containers was expected in Norenham on Nov 2, 2020, at the earliest. Nuclear opponents had already expected the arrival on Oct 31. When exactly the ship will arrive depended on the weather conditions. The nuclear freighter can only dock during high tide. For tactical reasons, the police did not provide any information about the whereabouts of the ship. Officers were already on duty at sea, on land and in the air on Oct 31 to monitor the transport. The train with the white transport containers was already waiting at the pier. Around a day was expected for unloading the containers from the ship and a subsequent radiation measurement, if the weather cooperates and the work of the wind-sensitive cranes does not have to be interrupted. Then the transport can start. It initially goes from the Midgard Port in Nordenham on a single-track route to Hude. There it is decided whether the train goes via Delmenhorst and Osnabrück to Biblis in Hesse or heads for the destination via Oldenburg and Papenburg. According to the federal police, both rail routes have been secured. The police guarded the port area of ​​the city with a large contingent. In Nordenham, Oldenburg and Göttingen, opponents of nuclear power protested against the transport on Oct 31. On Nov 1 in the morning, the "Stop Castor" alliance stated that it continued its protest in Nordenham. In Bremen, the organization "Robin Wood" demonstrated on Nov 1 at the main station. In addition, a vigil of the Bremen alliance "Stop the Castor" has been present on the station forecourt since Oct 31 . Protests were also announced for Nov 1 in Göttingen and Münster. The "Pacific Grebe" left the port of Barrow-in-Furness in the evening of OCt 27. The vessel switched off the AIS before leaving the port. Because this is a violation of international maritime law, the opponents of nuclear power have reported the owner of the ship. For ships of a certain size, the AIS is mandatory in maritime traffic in order to avoid collisions. Only warships are not covered by these regulations. The ship finally arrived in Nordenham on Nov 2 at 6.40 a.m., and cargo operations commenced soon after. Report with photo: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Castor-Behaelter-werden-in-Nordenham-auf-Zug-verladen,castortransport190.html