Babcock marks next stage in submarine dismantling project
Work is progressing to dismantle a nuclear-powered submarine and to reuse or recycle around 90 per cent of the boat’s structure and components.
The work is being carried out at Babcock’s Rosyth facility to dismantle Swiftsure, a nuclear-powered submarine which served with the Royal Navy.
As part of a UK demonstrator project, Babcock has awarded the recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK Ltd (KDCV). Babcock said that items to be reused or recycled include the pressure hull around the reactor compartment.
In a statement, Veolia’s John Abraham, COO – Industrial, Water & Energy for UK, Ireland and Nordics, said, “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 programme designed to depollute, decarbonise and preserve resources.”
The work on Swiftsure, the first decommissioned UK nuclear-powered submarine to be fully dismantled and disposed of, is expected to develop a proven approach for recycling the UK’s decommissioned fleet of submarines.
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