MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British nuclear submarines allowed to berth in South Africa

HMS Sceptre sailing somewhere in the southern hemisphere

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has approved a visit by a British nuclear submarine to Simon’s Town Naval Base, near Cape Town, despite opposition from environmental groups.

HMS Sceptre visit was originally programmed for March but will now take place sometime in the first two weeks of April, according to a report in Digial Journal, from iafrica.com

The report said that “NNR is satisfied that the application received complies with all aspects of the regulatory requirements in terms of the section 21 of the National Nuclear Regulator Act. Furthermore, the NNR wishes to reassure all stakeholders concerned that it will conduct environmental sampling before the arrival of the vessel, during berth in the harbour, and after the vessel has left. We do this to ensure that there are no adverse radiological impacts to the Simon's Town environment due to the HMS Sceptre's visit”.

The South African Navy told Digital Journal in an earlier interview that the HMS Sceptre had been delayed by ”operational requirements” but did not elaborate.

British newspapers claimed that the nuclear attack submarine had been ordered to the Falkland Islands near South America because of renewed tensions between the United Kingdom and Argentina over drilling for oil by British companies.

British authorities at the time did not comment on the whereabouts of the HMS Sceptre.