Fact Sheet: Nuclear Transportation Security

WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

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For Immediate Release

FACT SHEET

Nuclear Transportation Security

Nuclear material is most vulnerable while in transit and therefore additional measures are required to mitigate against these risks.  Whether via air, sea, road or rail, sharing methods to protect this material will help prevent nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terrorists, criminals and other unauthorized actors.    Moreover, each State Party to the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material bears the responsibility to protect and secure nuclear material in international transit. 

Through the Nuclear Security Summit, the U.S. has partnered with several other nations to publish best practices guide for implementing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations to protect nuclear material while in transit.  In particular, the U.S. is sharing practical applications from the Department of Defense for securing nuclear material transported via air.  This guide, along with three additional guides covering road, maritime, and rail transport, are available to interested nations and accompanies the Transportation Security Gift Basket sponsored by Japan. 

The United States recently ratified the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials that, once it enters into force, would expand this scope to include domestic transportation and use.  The U.S. exceeds all international standards for the transport of nuclear materials and joined this Gift Basket to share its experience with international partners.

The United States is also working with the IAEA to develop technical guidance on Security of Nuclear and other Radioactive Material in Transport to supplement the two existing IAEA transport security Implementing Guides for nuclear and other radioactive material.  This technical guidance will address all modalities of transport security and assist member states in implementing robust nuclear security transport programs. 

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