SeAH Besteel Successfully Delivers Initial Batch of 'Spent Fuel Transport Casks' to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power

Sequential Deliveries to Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Planned Within This Year
Rising Demand for Spent Fuel Management Both Domestically and Internationally

SeAH Besteel has successfully delivered the initial batch of 'Spent Fuel Transport Casks (CASK)' to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, once again demonstrating its expertise and manufacturing capabilities in the nuclear facility sector.

KN-18 Standard Nuclear Power Plant Spent Fuel Transport Cask. Provided by SeAH Besteel

On May 12, SeAH Besteel announced that it had successfully completed the initial delivery of the 'KN-18 Spent Fuel Transport Cask,' an order worth approximately 35 billion KRW placed by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in 2023. The 'KN-18 Spent Fuel Transport Cask' was delivered to the Hanbit Nuclear Power Headquarters in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, in compliance with the National Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand. Sequential deliveries are also scheduled for the Hanul Nuclear Power Headquarters in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, in the second half of the year.

The 'KN-18 Spent Fuel Transport Cask' manufactured by SeAH Besteel is designed to transport 18 bundles of spent fuel per cask from light water reactors, which use water as both moderator and coolant. Through design improvements, the new model offers a higher level of completion compared to previous versions. As interim storage facilities for nuclear fuel at operating domestic nuclear power plants are gradually reaching saturation, the 'KN-18 Spent Fuel Transport Cask' will be used to safely shield and transport high-level radioactive materials such as nuclear fuel, even under extreme conditions such as earthquakes and external impacts.

In 2022, SeAH Besteel became the first company in Korea to pass the quality assurance program review by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and has been actively targeting both domestic and international nuclear facility markets, including supplying 'dual-purpose casks for spent fuel transport and storage' to Xcel Energy, a U.S. energy utility service provider.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, starting with Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant in 2030, the spent fuel wet storage facilities at Hanul and Kori Nuclear Power Plants are also expected to reach saturation sequentially by 2032. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) estimates that more than 400,000 tons of nuclear fuel have already accumulated worldwide. As a result, demand and orders for 'spent fuel transport and storage casks' to safely transport and manage this material over the long term are expected to increase in earnest.

A SeAH Besteel representative stated, "The initial delivery of the 'KN-18 Spent Fuel Transport Cask' not only contributes to the advancement of Korea's nuclear ecosystem, but also recognizes SeAH Besteel's manufacturing technology and reliability in the nuclear facility sector. In a nuclear market where high technological entry barriers make delivery references and technological safety critical benchmarks, we will continue to strengthen our position as a key supplier of nuclear facilities through ongoing technology investment and participation in national projects."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.