In Baltimore harbour, the NS Savannah remains docked not just as a vessel, but as a symbol. It is a reminder of what bold thinking and technical excellence can achieve. Launched 66 years ago, during a significant moment in history when innovation and national goals merged, the NS Savannah was the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship.
This summer, we had the privilege of stepping aboard this historic vessel to commemorate its anniversary. Together, we unveiled a plaque honouring the legacy of The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), the company that engineered and built the nuclear reactor that powered the NS Savannah. As the origin of both Framatome Inc. and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT), B&W’s legacy is one of innovation and leadership in nuclear energy. In doing so, we proudly reflected on that pioneering past and embraced the responsibility of continuing that legacy today.
The mission and legacy of the NS Savannah
Over the years, the NS Savannah set a trailblazing course. Commissioned under President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace programme, she was designed to showcase how nuclear power could be harnessed for non-military, commercial purposes. Though the NS Savannah’s career was brief, her impact was profound. She sparked global imagination around the possibilities presented by nuclear technologies and helped catalyze the growth of the technology for civilian use.
And yet, for all its promise, nuclear propulsion technology for merchant vessels did not take off as once envisioned because of widespread misunderstanding of nuclear power among the public, economic complexities of maritime applications, and shifting policy priorities in Washington. Still, the NS Savannah’s value is clear: she was a prototype of a mindset, one that was determined to innovate at scale and in service of a better future.
Why the Savannah still matters today
That mindset remains essential today in America. As we face the demands of decarbonisation and energy resilience, nuclear is once again at the centre of the reliable energy conversation. And, building on our industrious history, it is American ingenuity that is again leading the way today.
We’re proud to build on the legacy of the NS Savannah, not with nostalgia, but with momentum and an appreciation for how far we’ve come. Our companies, which trace their lineage to the same pioneering firm that helped develop the Savannah’s systems, are now helping to write the next chapter of nuclear innovation in the US, spanning everything from advanced fuel fabrication and digital instrumentation to component manufacturing and reactor modernisation. Together, we are helping to equip the next wave of nuclear reactors – whether large-scale plants, small modular reactors, or advanced fast reactors – with the technology, talent, and reliability required for long-term success.
We are also investing in the workforce, partnerships, and supply chains we need to sustain the industry. Nuclear energy is not only a climate solution; it is a national asset. That’s why our efforts emphasise domestic manufacturing, job creation, and close collaboration with national labs, universities, and public-private initiatives.
A legacy that inspires the future
The symbolism of the NS Savannah continues to resonate because the questions she raised and what she stands for remain deeply relevant today. What does it take to lead the world in energy innovation? How do we turn pioneering concepts into practical reality? And how do we ensure that American nuclear expertise remains unmatched for generations to come?
There is no single answer, but there is a precedent. It lies in the boldness of building the NS Savannah in the first place, and in the grit and precision required to sustain a world-class nuclear industry through decades of change. It lives within the engineers who now develop fuels that can endure extreme conditions, the technicians retrofitting plants for extended lifespans, and the young professionals entering a field newly energized with purpose.
As CEOs of two companies born from a shared American legacy and driven by shared American values, we see this moment for what it is: not just a chance to reflect on where we’ve been, but to show where we’re headed.
The NS Savannah was ahead of her time. Today, we have the chance, and the responsibility, to ensure that American nuclear innovation is an enduring force for progress, prosperity, and a stable climate.
