World's First Nuclear Ship Exits Drydock
The world’s first nuclear-powered ship is making its way back to Baltimore flowing a repair stay in Philadelphia.On Thursday, the N.S. Savannah began its journey back from drydocking in preparation for decommissioning.Having spent the last few months at Northeast Ship Repair undergoing general inspection, repairs and structural modifications, the ship will be back at home at the Canton Marine Terminal by Friday.While the last nuclear fuel was removed from the ship more nearly 50 years ago…
The Nuclear Option
In the eyes of some, the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was the event that would signal the end of nuclear power for electrical power generation and would end any hope of the world utilizing nuclear-powered commercial vessels other than the Russian barge carrier, SEVMORPUT and numerous Russian ice breakers. Contrary to the afore mentioned opinion, I believe that not only are selected-route nuclear powered commercial vessels good for the marine industry but they…
A Case for Commercial Nuclear Power Vessels, Post the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster
Russian ice breakers. Contrary to the afore mentioned opinion, I believe that not only are selected-route nuclear powered commercial vessels good for the marine industry but they also offer the world the most environmentally friendly and potentially the most economical and efficient way of shipping trans-ocean cargo. Although the Fukushima Daiichi disaster was a disaster of major proportions, we must not forget that it was initiated by a much more deadly and destructive disaster; a tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.0 Richter scale underwater earthquake. The nuclear disaster that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi complex was not caused by inherent problems with the reactor…
B&W Wins $115m Navy Nuke Refuel Deal
The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) said that its subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) has been awarded a $114.7 million contract for the manufacture and delivery of fuel and support activities for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. "Support of our nation's naval fuel program is an important part of B&W's diverse business portfolio," said Joseph G. Henry, President of NFS. "Manufacture of naval nuclear fuel is a process developed by and unique to NFS. We are pleased with the continuation of our agreement with the U.S. NFS manufactures nuclear fuel for the U.S. Navy's fleet of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. NFS also processes highly enriched uranium in a Category 1 secured facility, which is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
