International Nuclear Services

INS is based near Whitehaven, in Cumbria[1] and is operated by Nuclear Transport Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Government's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

[3] INS conducts most of its transport operations through specialist nuclear materials shipping company Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL), in which it has a controlling 62.5% stake.

PNTL's remaining shares are owned by Areva (12.5%) and a consortium of Japanese nuclear companies (25%).

PNTL's fleet is dedicated to carrying nuclear materials and transports most of its cargoes between Europe and Japan.

[4] The vessels are armed for self-defence, and carry a contingent of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary on board to operate the armament.

The nuclear transport vessel Pacific Grebe , one of three owned by the INS subsidiary, Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited. Portsmouth, 2012