US shipping company Crowley has partnered with BWX Technologies (BWXT), a US company involved in the nuclear industry, including supply of reactors for naval vessels propulsion, on a ship concept with onboard reactor that can supply zero-emission energy to remote shoreside locations.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Crowley and BWXT’s Advanced Technologies subsidiary will allow both companies to jointly pursue and develop opportunities relative to the design, engineering and development of new shallow-draught ships that will supply small-scale nuclear energy for emergency or defence applications. The new ships would feature the latest technology available for factory fabricated microreactors, readily deployed into a shipyard configuration for ease of installation on the vessel. The onboard power plant 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 are damaged or not possible.
The new vessel concept envisions a 115m long ship that pulls from the logistics and marine capabilities of Crowley Engineering Services, and the nuclear capabilities of BWXT.
Shiju Zacharia, SVP and GM, Crowley Government Solutions, said: “Our cooperation 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. This concept supports the US Department of Energy’s goal of maintaining US leadership in nuclear energy technology as well as many the US Department of Defense’s strategic goals for operational energy.”
This new vessel concept pairs traditional propulsion while carrying a modular reactor between 5MW and 50MW that can 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 ships to deploy energy connections to shore. Shallow draught hulls allow the vessels to manoeuvre to strategically deliver power for military activities or if disasters limit harbour access.
Joe Miller, president BWXT Advanced Technologies said: “We are excited to work alongside Crowley to leverage our ongoing reactor development and demonstration programs to expand nuclear technology into new and novel markets to deliver zero carbon emissions energy generation to strategic locations.”
