The Pacific Heron, a ship specially outfitted to transport nuclear material, is due to arrive in Japan in June escorted by a sister ship, both of which are owned by British company PNTL.

British security forces are on board the ships, which are manned by twice as many crew members as on a normal ship, Areva said.

Environmental group Greenpeace did not disrupt the departure of the ship, which it said was bearing 1.3 tonnes of plutonium out of the total cargo. The group risked a fine of 75,000 euros (100,000) if it got too close.

Japan has few energy resources of its own and relies on nuclear power from 53 plants for nearly one third of its domestic electricity needs.

Opponents of the nuclear plants warn of the risk of an accident in Japan, which suffers some 20 percent of the world's most powerful earthquakes.

Protesters argue that shipping MOX around the world represents an unacceptable risk because of the danger of an accident or attack.

Greenpeace also warns that the widening use of MOX increases the dangers of nuclear proliferation, arguing that the plutonium in it is easier to extract for weapons use than the plutonium in conventional spent nuclear fuel.

Areva said that the shipment is proof of the success of MOX, which has been used in two reactors in Japan since last year and which the company says helps recycle used-up nuclear material.

It said that by the end of 2011 MOX will be used in five Japanese reactors.

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