Unirradiated nuclear fuel component transport system

A shipping container system for a first nuclear fuel assembly comprising:

• an elongated, tubular container having an axial dimension at least as long as the first nuclear fuel assembly, an internal cross-section larger than the first nuclear fuel assembly and an interior tubular channel that is sized to closely receive and is shaped to substantially conform to the peripheral shape of the first nuclear fuel assembly, the tubular container having at least two circumferentially spaced axial seams that when separated open a wall section of the tubular container to reveal the interior tubular channel and through which the first nuclear fuel assembly can be loaded into and unloaded from the tubular container, an exterior of the tubular container having at least two substantially flat walls which extend substantially over the axial dimension of the tubular container;
• an elongated, tubular overpack having an axial dimension at least as long as the tubular container, an internal cross-section larger than the tubular container and an interior tubular channel having an axially extending lower support section supporting a plurality of shock mounts, with at least one of said plurality of shock mounts positioned on either radial side of the lower support section, the shock mounts positioned on one radial side of the lower support section support one of the axially extending flat walls of the tubular container and the shock mounts positioned on the other radial side of the lower support section support another of the axially extending flat walls of the tubular container, in spaced relationship with the lower support section when the overpack is supported in a horizontal position;
• and
• means for supporting the overpack in the horizontal position so that the abutment joint of the flat walls is at the lowest point.