Port of MobileThursday, November 5
The ex-USS Enterprise has left Virginia for Mobile, where it will be dismantled
The Mobile Daily News team
The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is headed our way. The ex-USS Enterprise began its final voyage Monday from Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, and it's expected in Mobile around Nov. 13.
The Enterprise's trip from commissioning in 1961 ends in Mobile
- Nov. 1961Enterprise enters service as the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
- 2012The Navy inactivates the carrier.
- 2017Its reactor plants are defueled and it is formally decommissioned.
- July 2026The Navy awards NorthStar a $418.5 million dismantling contract.
- Nov. 2Enterprise leaves Newport News for Mobile.
- Nov. 13Enterprise is expected to arrive in Mobile.
- Sept. 2030Dismantling is expected to be complete.
Sources: NBC 15 WPMI, Business Insider Africa
NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Services will take the carrier apart at its Mobile facility. The first award drew a challenge from HII ShipCycle, which said technical problems kept it from filing a final proposal on time. A federal judge ordered the Navy to pause and reopen the competition, and the new NorthStar contract came in about $118 million lower.
- Fuel: removed from all eight reactors, though some components stay radioactive
- Waste: radioactive and hazardous waste goes to licensed facilities
- Finish line: expected by September 2030
The Enterprise's retirement program has topped $1.3 billion
- $418.5 million
- for NorthStar's dismantling contract
- $1.3 billion
- or more for the Navy's retirement and disposal program
- 1 million
- nautical miles traveled under nuclear power
Sources: NBC 15 WPMI, Business Insider Africa
Sources: NBC 15 WPMI, Business Insider Africa