The Port of Workington receives vessels supporting the nuclear reprocessing industry at Sellafield, West Cumbria..
The coastal reprocessing site operated by Sellafield Ltd is the largest nuclear site in Europe occupying over 2 square miles and is the major employer in the area.
The extent of the coastal site can be appreciated from the aerial photo below, courtesy of BAM Ritchies.
Ships seen at Workington are described as either 'roll-on/roll-off cargo' or 'nuclear fuel carriers', and are registered & based in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
The Ro/Ro vessel 'ATLANTIC OSPREY' was a regular visitor during 2011-12 and spent some months berthed in Workington Dock between sailings.
The 3800 gr tonne vessel was built in 1986 and named 'ARNEB' and 'ALSTER RAPID' under previous ownerships.
She is reported to have been decommissioned in 2014.
The nuclear fuel carrier 'OCEANIC PINTAIL' has made one visit in recent years.
The 5300 gr tonne ship was built in 1987 & named 'PACIFIC PINTAIL'. It is tradition that nuclear cargo vessels are retired from service before their 25th birthday, but controversially after being laid up for 2 years, the vessel was brought back into service bearing a new name, 'OCEANIC PINTAIL' with the intention of operating for 3 more years.
A number of arrivals & departures have been photographed over recent years and are presented below :-
ATLANTIC OSPREY (Barrow) IMO 8602414, 6th Aug 2011