The Authenticated Tracking and Monitoring System (ATMS) combines GPS location data with on-board sensors, like temperature, radiation and container integrity.  All data is linked to the world-wide INMARSAT satellite system and protected by data encryption and authentication in transmission.
 

Real time data can be displayed in the Generic Nuclear Energy Transparency Experiment and completed shipments can be archived for user inquiries at later times.

A typical display for a shipment of nuclear fuel from Europe to Japan shows position of the ship, and by clicking on the button below, the user can check for container integrity and temperature.

Development of transportation containers. Jim Pierce, Sandia National Laboratories discusses the origin of the transport container and includes a movie of a transport container being drop tested (avi file). http://www.sandia.gov/tp/pkgdev.htm

Testing of containers. Doug Ammerman, Sandia National Laboratories, shows how his team tests transport containers by dropping them from various heights and subjecting them to immersion in fire or water. http://www.sandia.gov/tp/structtest.htm

Maritime Transportation. Ron Smith, University of Waikato, New Zealand, reviews the debate on safe transport of radioactive materials at sea, an issue of great interest in East Asia. Prof. Smith compares some of the arguments concerning sea shipments and weighs the relative risks of various hypothetical events.