Crowley partners with BWXT to develop nuclear power generation ships

• 7 months ago (2023-09-21)
• David Flin

North America 998 Nuclear 640

---

Crowley and BWX Technologies have signed an MOU on the development of a power generation vessel using an SMR.

The companies will work jointly to develop opportunities relative to the design, engineering, and development of new shallow-draft ships that will supply small-scale nuclear energy to shoreside locations. The new ships would be 378 feet long, developed by Crowley. According to Crowley, the vessel will feature “the latest technology available for factory-fabricated microreactors.”

The ship would use traditional propulsion while carrying a 5-50 MW reactor that can be activated upon arrival at the destination and be deactivated and transported after the power supply is discontinued. The vessel would also carry power delivery cables to enable the ship to deploy energy connections to shore.

Shiju Zacharia, Senior Vice President and General Manager of 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 of the US Department of Defense’s strategic goals for operational energy.”