Crowley and BWX Technologies will jointly develop a ship concept that will have nuclear microreactors to provide power to remote locations in emergencies
Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the privately held American shipowner and BWXT’s Advanced Technologies subsidiary will design, engineer and develop a 115-m shallow-draught ship equipped with factory-fabricated microreactors with powers of 5 to 50 MW. These modular reactors would supply energy to shore facilities such as military bases in remote island locations, backup utility grids after disasters, and provide power in other scenarios where traditional electricity sources have been damaged or are not available.
The MoU sees one of the largest Jones Act vessel owners and operators team with Big board-listed BWXT, a leading supplier of nuclear components, fuel and services to the US government.
“Our co-operation with BWXT will move Crowley for the first time into the nuclear energy sector, a key part of our commitment to sustainable, alternative energy sources,” said Crowley Government Solutions senior vice president and general manager Shiju Zacharia.
Not meant to power the ship, which will have traditional propulsion, the nuclear microreactors will be activated upon arrival at the destination and be deactivated and transported after the power supply is discontinued. Buoyed power delivery cables will enable the ship to deploy energy connections to shore, and the vessel’s shallow-draught hulls will allow manoeuvring in harbours with limited access.
Sign up for Riviera’s series of technical and operational webinars and conferences in 2023:
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.