The US Navy and Naval Reactors have taken a landmark step with the award of the first contract to commercially dismantle and dispose of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ex-Enterprise (CVN 65).
US Navy press release
This marks the first time a U.S. nuclear-powered warship will be dismantled through a commercial effort, representing a significant milestone in responsibly and safely closing out the legacy of one of the most iconic nuclear-powered warships.
Commissioned in 1961 and serving the nation for over 50 years, Enterprise was a technological marvel and played a central role in U.S. naval operations spanning the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and post-9/11 conflicts, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Following inactivation in December 2012, the Navy completed the defueling and inactivation of the ship’s reactor plants in 2017.
With this contract, Enterprise will now begin the final journey – supporting continued stewardship of the Navy’s nuclear fleet and freeing critical public shipyard capacity for active fleet maintenance.
The dismantlement and disposal effort will be executed under a $536.7 million firm-fixed-price contract awarded through full-and-open competition to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services, LLC, of Vernon, Vermont. The effort is expected to be completed by November 2029. NorthStar is partnered with Modern American Recycling and Radiological Services, LLC (MARRS) in Mobile, Alabama, where the dismantlement work will take place. Waste Control Specialists LLC, of Andrews, Texas, will serve as the licensed facility for disposal of low-level radiological and mixed hazardous waste. Non-hazardous materials will be recycled or disposed of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Leveraging private-sector expertise in commercial nuclear power plant decommissioning is achieving an estimated $1 billion in cost savings compared to conducting the effort in public shipyards. This approach enables the Navy to prioritize public yard resources toward fleet readiness and modernization – while upholding its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and nuclear safety.
