Multi-modal Challenges in the International Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials (The only interesting parts of a system are the interfaces.)

There is an old systems engineering aphorism: the only interesting parts of a system are the interfaces. In the System of Systems that comprise international shipments of nuclear or radioactive material, the intermodal transfer points contain some of the most security critical interfaces. Transportation of nuclear and radioactive material exposes these materials to the most risk for malicious acts. Unlike physical facilities, securing radioactive and nuclear materials during transport requires that many different organizations including operators, regulatory agencies, and security agencies work together to ensure the security of the cargo. A major security challenge for international movement of nuclear and radioactive material is the need to use multiple transport modes. Ensuring security of these cargos as they move through intermodal facilities, some of which may take multiple hours, or days, depending on operational constraints at the yards, ports, or other facilities, is a major operational and regulatory challenge. Especially in the international context, ensuring the security of material in transport through in-transit countries and coordinating transport activities across jurisdictions can lead to challenges as to whose security plan controls, whose transport regulations are to be followed, and how might plans need to be adjusted to adapt to in-transit conditions and ultimately how to ensure cargo security. This paper seeks to introduce and highlight selected challenges in the multi-modal movement of nuclear and radioactive material in transport. While the paper will address selected challenges in coordination of stakeholders and resources, activities at intermodal facilities, and other selected issues, this does not address all the challenges, rather begin to bring issues forward and begin to suggest solutions and strategies for enhancing the security of nuclear and radioactive material transported internationally.