We are witnessing what is emerging as the resurgence of nuclear power. The reopening of reactors, as well as the development of new cutting-edge units, is a current topic of conversation. Companies like Amazon and Google have decided to opt for SMR-type proposals to power some of their upcoming artificial intelligence data centers. Maersk, for its part, imagines this technology in merchant ships.
The Danish shipping company began working in the middle of this year on a study together with Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Core Power. Basically he wants to know if the idea of operating a fleet of nuclear-powered ships for transporting goods is viable. Now, it wouldn’t be the first time we would see a nuclear-powered merchant ship. Four projects of this type have been developed in the world, with the NS Savannah of 1959 being the first to materialize.
NS Savannah, a merchant ship with a nuclear reactor
United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the construction of a merchant ship of nuclear propulsion in 1955 as part of “Atoms for Peace”, an initiative that aimed to promote the peaceful use of atomic energy. A decade ago, let us remember, Harry S. Truman had ordered the nuclear attack against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which continued with several nuclear tests throughout the 1950s.
The keel of the NS Savannah was laid at a shipyard in Camden, New Jersey, in 1958, and the ship made its maiden voyage in 1962. It was 181.8 meters long and had a beam of 24 meters, with a displacement of 19,800 tons. It had a series of amenities that did not exist on other merchant ships, such as thirty air-conditioned cabins, a dining room for 100 people, a bar overlooking an outdoor pool, all with a design that inspired luxury.
The ship had a type of power plant similar to that of the USS Nautilus designed by Babcock & Wilcox. It included a pressurized water reactor (PWR) strategically located to facilitate refueling. To improve security several components were duplicated so that it could continue functioning in the event of certain types of failures.
During his time in service he visited almost fifty international ports, carrying cargo and passengers, but above all being an ambassador for the peaceful use of atomic energy. Passenger transport ceased in 1965 and continued to operate as a cargo ship until 1970.. It was a really interesting concept, but it was not intended to be profitable, so its lifespan was clearly limited.
A year later, in 1971, nuclear fuel was completely phased out. The ship remained on display from 1981 to 1994 and was designated National Historical Monument in 1991. It is currently docked at a dock in Baltimore.where a process is being carried out in stages for the dismantling of all nuclear systems to later be decommissioned.
The NS Savannah remains owned by the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and is still licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). When the above tasks are completed, the ship will no longer be subject to the NRC license and will be able to find its next destination. MARAD considers options such as converting it into a museum or recycling it.
Images | Wikimedia Commons (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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