PATRAM 2025 A Milestone in Global Nuclear Transport Collaboration

“A Coming of Age” — A Message from WNTI

WNTI CEO Pete Bryant, in his opening remarks, set the tone with a powerful message: there’s one thing that connects every new innovation, every reactor, every dose of medical isotopes and that’s transport.

“While some may only see trucks, ships, and containers, we see progress. We see power enabled, research advanced, lives improved.”

The theme of the week, “Continuing Growth Toward Future Transport,” was more than a title – it became a shared mission. Across dozens of panels, side events, and technical sessions, PATRAM 2025 brought together regulators, operators, scientists, engineers, communicators, and policymakers to ask not if the transport landscape is changing, but how we shape its future together.

A major highlight of the symposium was the signing of two strategic Memoranda of Understanding – each reinforcing WNTI’s commitment to partnership, innovation, and impact:

• A renewed MoU between WNTI and INMM, signed by INMM President Tina Hernandez and WNTI’s CEO Pete Bryant, ensures a sustainable future for PATRAM: INMM will lead events held in the U.S., and WNTI will lead those hosted internationally, with mutual support throughout. This agreement reinforces PATRAM’s identity as an inclusive and truly global forum.
• A new MoU between WNTI and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), signed by Joseph Faldowski, Senior Program Manager for Used Fuel and High-Level Waste at EPRI, establishes a shared commitment to advancing research, innovation, and training across the full nuclear fuel cycle.

These partnerships highlight WNTI’s commitment to building a safer, more connected, and forward-looking transport ecosystem.

Among the standout sessions was a joint WNTI–World Nuclear Association side panel on decarbonising the maritime sector, which explored how nuclear technologies — from clean hydrogen to civil nuclear propulsion – could help tackle the 3% of global CO₂ emissions attributed to shipping.

“A net-zero future cannot be built on a dirty transport system,” said WNTI CEO Pete Bryant in opening the event, calling for bold thinking and cross-sector collaboration.

Thanks to our outstanding panel contributors: Ben Whittard (NTS) for chairing the session with clarity and energy, and expert speakers Scott Edwards (Core Power), Ximena Vasquez-Maignan (White & Case), and Carolynn Scherer (IAEA) for sharing their valuable insights into the future of nuclear propulsion.

Of course, PATRAM wouldn’t be complete without its signature social programme – and 2025 didn’t disappoint, from the PATRAM Banquet, to the legendary late-evening “work” socials, hosted by NTS, TAM, Orano, ALARA Logisitcs, NCT, RSB Logistics and Transrad or the World Nuclear Transport Institute.

WNTI’s Drinks Reception brought together members, partners, and colleagues for an evening of Texas flair, complete with a WNTI Signature Cocktail, Tex-Mex buffet, and live country music (not to mention the much-discussed rope-slinging cowboy). A special congratulations to our best Cowboy and Cowgirl, our very own Kuni Kinoshita and Sam Smith (TAM International), I hope you are enjoying your custom WNTI Stetsons!

The message of the night? Connection, community, and commitment to the journey ahead — especially as WNTI prepares to launch its 2025–2030 Strategy, focused on global influence, practical impact, and sustainable transport.

As the symposium ended, attendees were treated to a moment of mystery and excitement during the closing dinner, where the next PATRAM location was teased with a series of cryptic clues. The big reveal?

PATRAM 2028 will take place in the United Kingdom!

Final venue details are still under wraps, but expectations are high for a state-of-the-art setting close to key nuclear sites — and perhaps even a port, castle or curry night thrown in.

PATRAM 2025 was more than just a conference – it was a moment of maturity – one where we look back with pride, and ahead with purpose. With stronger partnerships, bolder ideas, and deeper collaboration, WNTI and the wider nuclear and radioactive material transport community are stepping confidently into a future where transport is not the weak link, but one of the greatest enablers of progress.

To everyone who joined us in San Antonio — thank you.

WNTI would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our members for your ongoing support, participation, and collaboration throughout PATRAM 2025. Your contributions -from technical presentations and panels to hallway conversations – continue to shape the direction and strength of the global nuclear transport community.

We’re also incredibly proud of the WNTI team, who played a key role in every part of the symposium:

• Elisa Penda, for expertly chairing sessions, organising the WNTI/WNA side event, contributing to the late-night work of the Awards Committee, and, as many can attest, demonstrating true Texan spirit with her signature Margarita skills.
• Kuni Kinoshita, for inspiring the next generation through conversations with the Office for Radiological Security Scholarship winners, chairing a session, and supporting our members in preparing and delivering impactful presentations.
• Sharon Hutchinson, for leading the coordination and running of the WNTI stand – always welcoming, professional, and engaging – and delivering a fantastic WNTI Social Event that brought everyone together in celebration.
• Eileen Supko, WNTI’s North American Representative, for her vital support to the Program Committee and for guiding and assisting the WNTI team throughout the symposium.
• Hirotaka Nojima (Chair of WNTI’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Working Group) and Daniel Fisher (Co-Chair of WNTI’s Policy and Regulation Working Group) for presenting the work of WNTI at the Symposium.

Thank you also to the organisers of PATRAM 2025, the various planning and technical committees, the dedicated event staff and venue team, and of course INMM, for making this year’s event smooth, impactful, and truly global in spirit.

We’ll see you at the WNTI Conference this November, and again in the UK for PATRAM 2028.

Until then: Forward Together – Safely, Securely, Sustainably.