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Babcock and the UK Defence Nuclear Enterprise have announced they have reached the next major milestone in the program to fully dismantle a nuclear-powered submarine, Swiftsure, at its facility in Rosyth.
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This milestone builds on work already completed by Babcock’s highly skilled teams to remove the submarine’s reactor systems and low-level radioactive waste.
As part of the UK’s demonstrator project, the company has recently awarded the recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK Ltd (KDCV).
Babcock’s approach is a world first and will apply a new and innovative methodology which will enable around 90 per cent of its structure and components to be reused or recycled.
With safety and environmental protection at the centre of its operations and using a specially designed in-dock facility, the waste has been processed for removal from site through Rosyth’s state-of-the-art active waste management facility.
This includes the pressure hull around the reactor compartment, once full radiological reassurance monitoring has completed.
Swiftsure will be the first decommissioned UK nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled and disposed of, and this program will lead the way, providing a proven approach for recycling of the current UK decommissioned fleet of submarines.
Harry Holt, Babcock chief executive, nuclear, said, “This is a world first. We are bringing together our experience of supporting the entire UK submarine fleet, our nuclear expertise and our ability to bring the best of industry together on this program to spearhead the approach for the safe disposal of all ex-service nuclear submarines.”
Veolia’s John Abraham, chief operating officer - industrial, water and energy for UK, Ireland and Nordics, expanded on these comments, saying, “Working with the Ministry of Defence and Babcock on this unique and complex project will mark a new sustainable way of decommissioning and recycling this type of vessel. By using Veolia’s global skills, we will deliver this world-first project as part of our GreenUp strategic program designed to depollute, decarbonise and preserve resources.”
Adding to the comments, Submarine Delivery Agency CEO, Sir Chris Gardner KBE, said, “The Babcock appointment of KDC Veolia as the recycler for Swiftsure marks a significant strategic milestone in the UK Submarine Dismantling Project. As the demonstrator for the project, Swiftsure will be the first UK nuclear-powered submarine to be dismantled. Lessons learned will be applied to improve the process for dismantling of all future submarines, ensuring all boats can be safely and efficiently recycled with cost savings where possible applied.”
Babcock supports the Royal Navy to protect its shores and overseas territories sustaining the entirety of the UK’s submarine fleet. The company has also supported the continuous at sea deterrent for more than 50 years.
Swiftsure remains on track to be dismantled by 2026, ahead of the wider program to fully dismantle all decommissioned Royal Navy submarines, which will free up space and capacity that can be used in delivery of programs enabling submarine availability.
