US-based Westinghouse Electric Company and Canada’s Seaspan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support nuclear new-build projects in Canada and globally. Seaspan has the potential to manufacture key components for Westinghouse AP1000 and AP300 reactors, including pipe spools and steel structures.
Dave Hargreaves, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Communications at Seaspan Shipyards, said the company’s experience in custom, high-quality fabrication and manufacturing in support of large shipbuilding and complex repair and overhaul projects “has positioned Seaspan to pursue work in adjacent markets, such as the nuclear industry”. He added that Seaspan looks forward to working with Westinghouse to deliver this new capability.”
Seaspan has three shipyards in British Columbia and a workforce of 4,000 employees. It is a leader in shipbuilding, maintenance, and ship repair with experience in delivering complex manufacturing projects, which Westinghouse said aligns well with the requirements of large-scale capital projects such as AP1000 and AP300 reactors.
“We are proud to establish this new relationship with Seaspan and bring them into our network of more than 450 Canadian suppliers,” said Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. “Seaspan’s manufacturing expertise and ability to deliver on large-scale projects will make it a valuable partner to support advanced reactor projects in Canada and beyond.”
Westinghouse continues to work closely with Canadian suppliers on components for its AP1000 reactor. The company is also collaborating with the Canadian supply chain for its AP300 small modular reactor, a 300-MWe single-loop pressurised water reactor based on AP1000 technology, and the eVinci microreactor design, which can provide up to 5 MWe for eight-plus years for a variety of applications.
In November 2023, Electric Company was acquired by Canada’s Cameco in a strategic partnership with Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management alongside Brookfield Renewable Partners and institutional partners. Cameco now owns a 49% interest and Brookfield a 51% in Westinghouse.
After Westinghouse, then owned by Toshiba, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017 in the face of extensive financial difficulties, Brookfield agreed to acquire 100% of Westinghouse from Toshiba for about $4.6bn. Brookfield completed the purchase in August 2018, marking Westinghouse’s exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a restructured company.
