Overview

• BASE issued permits to move 152 Castor casks containing about 300,000 fuel balls from Jülich to Ahaus by road, valid until 31 August 2027 and declared immediately enforceable.
• A separate authorization allows two road shipments from the Garching research reactor to Ahaus covering 10 spent elements, with validity through 31 May 2027.
• Routes and dates are being kept confidential for security reasons, and the transport operator must set schedules in coordination with NRW nuclear oversight and police.
• The city of Ahaus is preparing legal steps and environmental groups plan protests, while an OVG Münster ruling last year confirmed Ahaus may store the Jülich casks.
• NRW’s police union warns of a burdensome, years‑long security operation on strained roads; regional reporting cites internal experts who estimate first runs could be possible in six to eight weeks.