Babcock International has awarded a recycling contract to KDC Veolia Decommissioning Services UK Ltd for the dismantling of Swiftsure, the first decommissioned UK nuclear-powered submarine to undergo complete disposal, according to a press release from Babcock.
This milestone, achieved in collaboration with the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), is an important step in the UK’s Submarine Dismantling Project.
The project is based at Babcock’s Rosyth facility in Fife and aims to recycle or reuse around 90% of the submarine’s structure and components, including the pressure hull, pending radiological checks.
The dismantling process follows extensive work by Babcock teams, who have already removed reactor systems and low-level radioactive waste. The remaining stages will be managed within a specially designed in-dock facility at Rosyth, which supports safe handling and environmental protection throughout the process.
Swiftsure is expected to be fully dismantled by 2026, paving the way for the eventual recycling of the entire decommissioned UK submarine fleet.
Harry Holt, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Nuclear Sector, spoke of the pioneering nature of the project. “This is a world first. We’re applying our nuclear expertise and drawing on industry collaboration to set a standard for the safe disposal of all ex-service nuclear submarines,” he said in the Babcock press release.
Veolia’s Chief Operating Officer for Industrial, Water & Energy, John Abraham, underscored the project’s environmental commitment. “This unique project will set a new sustainable standard for decommissioning and recycling this type of vessel,” said Abraham, citing Veolia’s GreenUp programme, which focuses on reducing pollution and preserving resources.
To mark the beginning of Swiftsure’s dismantling, more than 40 former crew members attended a ceremony at Rosyth, where Chris Carpenter, Head of Disposal at the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), performed a ceremonial steel cut on the hull. SDA CEO Sir Chris Gardner commented on the project’s strategic significance, saying, “Swiftsure will serve as the demonstrator for the project, setting the course for dismantling all future submarines.”
Veolia!!! Scraping the barrel. Cheap cheap. I wonder how long before the first scandal hits the headlines.
Very amusing. Can I recycle that bit of plutonium or is it rubbish?
Veolia? When they’ve finished Swiftsure they can get back to emptying our bins…
Don’t put your bins out if Collection vehicle is Glowing a strange aurora.
HMS Swiftsure was decommissioned in 1992. I take it that nuclear subs have to sit around for a few years, before they can be dismantled?
Dreadnaught has been sat in Rosyth way longer than that
those Polaris boats have been sitting idle for longer than they were in use
1980
They could be dismantled immediately really. We’ve just been lazy/cheap.
there were several nuclear submarines lost in the 60’s they lie on the ocean floor between the u.s and the Azores. it’s interesting that many years later there is no record of any radioactive leakage from them.
It’s simply because they never had the resources or budget to fully decommission the nuclear boats before this. Complete deconstruction of nuclear submarines is a problem for all nations who have them and each nation has a park of decommissioned subs just hanging around.
Russia is probably the worst and has probably just let a few quietly and accidentally sink ( it’s illegal to purposely dump a nuclear reactor or nuclear waste at sea) the US only deconstructs around two third of the sub it cuts out the reactor compartment completely and stores it away indefinitely on land, Russia does the same and buries them.only France and the UK are going for a complete deconstruction of the whole hull, France started in 2018. It’s the hidden extra though life cost of nuclear subs..even after decommissioning your probably paying 50-100 million.
the fuel rods have to be removed before anything can be done.
I bet they take a very close look at the hull.
I’ve oft wondered if the quality towed arrays in the Trafalgar boats can be reused in future ships.
Look beyond the easy comment – lots of experience of dismantling and recycling oil rigs – and it’s part of a €35bm business with a massive R&D team.
I am not sure I fully understand the issue. If Babcock has removed the nuclear stuff, what is the issue with cutting up the rest of the boat Or is the entire thing radioactive, however slightly?
AA
There’s some radioactive material but it’s also stuff like Asbestos
Message from Veolia: “We did not pick up your recycling as you put your submarine in the wrong dry dock.”
and it should go in the blue wheelie bin for recycling.
about time, maintenance in the keeping of those old hulks last year, over 16 Million. add to that the valuable space they take up at devonport and rosyth.