Hornbeck Offshore Backs Maritime Nuclear Push With Deployable Energy

Hornbeck Offshore Services is teaming up with nuclear technology developer Deployable Energy to explore the use of compact nuclear reactors aboard vessels and other offshore installations, including floating data centers and power barges.

The companies announced Monday that they signed a memorandum of understanding covering potential deployments of Deployable Energy’s Unity Nuclear Battery across several maritime markets. Hornbeck has also made a strategic investment in the Houston-based developer. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The partnership combines Deployable Energy’s transportable microreactor technology with Hornbeck’s offshore vessel operating experience. Potential applications include inland waterways, offshore vessels and platforms, defense logistics, autonomous vessels, power barges and floating data centers.

A joint working group will examine vessel integration, economics, licensing, financing and commercial structures, initially focusing on U.S. applications. The companies are targeting at least a 20% reduction in total cost of ownership compared with conventional marine diesel or grid-powered alternatives.

Deployable Energy’s Unity Nuclear Battery is a 1-megawatt-electric microreactor designed for integration into vessels rather than requiring ships to be built around a reactor. The company says the units can operate for more than five years between refueling and be combined for larger power requirements.

“We are proud to partner with one of the leaders in the US maritime sector and one of the largest Jones Act vessel owners to usher in a commercial maritime nuclear industry,” said Bobby Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of Deployable Energy.

Hornbeck Offshore Chairman, President and CEO Todd M. Hornbeck said compact nuclear power could improve “economics, endurance and energy resilience” across several maritime markets.

The partnership comes amid growing interest in applying small modular reactors and microreactors beyond their traditional military uses at sea. Commercial applications could range from ship propulsion and auxiliary power to offshore infrastructure requiring large amounts of continuous electricity.

Significant hurdles remain, particularly around licensing, safety, classification, liability and international regulations governing nuclear-powered ships.

Deployable Energy says it is the only commercial microreactor developer to have both reached criticality and received Approval in Principle from a maritime classification society.

The companies plan a phased development process beginning with feasibility studies and front-end engineering, followed by detailed design, regulatory approvals and an initial deployment. Any deployment remains subject to technical and commercial development, regulatory approvals and definitive agreements.

Hornbeck operates high-specification offshore service vessels serving the offshore energy industry, primarily in the U.S. Gulf and Latin America, as well as U.S. government and other specialized maritime customers.

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