6 Nov 2024
Babcock awards milestone recycling contract in UK’s Submarine Dismantling Project
Pictured: SM Swiftsure (formerly HMS Swiftsure) in dry dock at Babcock’s Rosyth Royal Dockyard. HMS Swiftsure was the lead ship of her class of nuclear fleet submarines built for the Royal Navy. Entering service in 1973, she served until 1992. The Swiftsure class was a class of nuclear-powered fleet attack submarines in service with the Royal Navy from the early 1970s until 2010. The decommissioned submarine Swiftsure is now in dry dock at Babcock’s Rosyth site, where dismantling has commenced under MOD’s Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP). She will be the first submarine to be fully dismantled through the SDP.
Working with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), we have reached the next significant milestone to fully dismantle a nuclear-powered submarine, Swiftsure, at our facility in Rosyth.
As part of the UK’s demonstrator project, we recently awarded the recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK Ltd (KDCV). Our approach is a world first, applying a new and innovative methodology which will enable around 90% of the structure and components to be reused or recycled. 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. It will lead the way, providing a proven approach for recycling of the current UK decommissioned fleet of submarines.
This milestone builds on work already completed by our highly skilled teams to remove the submarine’s reactor systems and low-level radioactive waste. With safety and environmental protection at the centre of our 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.
Harry Holt, Chief Executive of our Nuclear Sector, 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 programme to spearhead the approach for the safe disposal of all ex-service nuclear submarines.”
Veolia’s John Abraham, Chief Operating Officer – 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.»
To mark the official start of the hull dismantling, this month, together with DNE we welcomed more than 40 former crew members to bid Swiftsure a fond farewell, as Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), Head of Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure, Chris Carpenter, made the first ceremonial cut of steel.
SDA 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.”
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