nuclear-news

Uranium spill: corporations’ business needs come ahead of public concern

The Nanaimo Port Authority said…the port cannot release details of shipments that might hurt the competitiveness of some companies. “We have to respect corporations’ needs for private business…….

Environmental group raises alarm over shipment of spilled uranium that was docked off Ladysmith, Times Colonist,  By DUSTIN WALKER, Postmedia News January 24, 2011 NANAIMO — A shipment of partially spilled uranium concentrate that was docked offshore from Ladysmith for a few days raises questions about what kinds of hazardous materials are being shipped through B.C. waters, an environmental organization says.

The Liberian-registered cargo ship Altona was carrying 350 tonnes of uranium from Saskatoon-based Cameco Corp. when heavy seas forced it to return to Canada after several of its containers had shifted.

The ship was docked near Ladysmith but is now picking up fuel and food in Vancouver……Christianne Wilhelmson, clean air and water program co-ordinator with the Georgia Strait Alliance, says the media buzz around the Altona’s spilled cargo illustrates how little people know about what’s being shipped through our waters.

“I think this is an important red flag for us to start asking more questions and hope that there is transparency about the products shipped through our waters,” Wilhelmson said. “I was actually surprised to find out uranium was being shipped out of here.”……..

Sharing too much information about the transportation of ammunition or other materials could make them targets for criminals, Edward Dahlgren, harbour master for The Nanaimo Port Authoritysaid. Also, the port cannot release details of shipments that might hurt the competitiveness of some companies.

“We have to respect corporations’ needs for private business…….

Environmental group raises alarm over shipment of spilled uranium that was docked off Ladysmith

January 25, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, civil liberties