Deployable Energy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hornbeck Offshore Services to commercialize transportable nuclear power across five core maritime and offshore sectors. As part of the strategic alliance, Hornbeck Offshore has also completed a direct equity investment in Deployable Energy.
The joint initiative pairs Deployable Energy’s transportable microreactor platform with Hornbeck Offshore’s extensive marine operations fleet. Together, the companies plan to evaluate and deploy maritime nuclear systems across inland waterways, offshore platform operations, national security logistics platforms, autonomous vessel fleets, power barges, and floating data center installations.
Through the rapid development of zero-emissions and dense power systems, the partnership seeks to achieve energy independence in U.S. maritime operations in line with IMO regulations on de-carbonization and the revitalization of shipbuilding infrastructure within the country.
Rapid Deployment and Commercialization Roadmap
As per the agreement, Deployable Energy and Hornbeck Offshore will establish a joint task force that will work on naval vessel integration, financial frameworks, economic viability of projects, and regulation licensing routes.
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The multi-phase program establishes a strategic foundation for Deployable Energy’s long-term deployment pipeline, targeting multi-gigawatt power installations over the next decade. The operational framework aims to achieve at least a 20% reduction in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to traditional marine diesel systems and shore-based grid alternatives.
The Unity Nuclear Battery Architecture
At the core of the initiative is Deployable Energy’s Unity Nuclear Battery, a 1 MWe mass-manufactured, transportable microreactor. Engineered specifically for plug-and-play vessel integration-rather than requiring ships to be built custom around a fixed reactor design—the system delivers emissions-free baseload power.
Featuring continuous refueling cycles exceeding five years, the modular design scales seamlessly from standalone 1 MWe units to multi-reactor installations capable of powering high-density floating microgrids.
“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. “Todd Hornbeck and his founder-led operating experience coupled with his team’s proven ability to bring new technologies to market will enable us to move from demonstration to real-world deployment. Together, we’re forging a path to lower energy costs, greater endurance and entirely new maritime power applications.”
“Deployable Energy‘s speed of execution, culture, and ability to understand requirements in the maritime industry are why we chose them to partner on five priority maritime markets that can utilize compact nuclear power to improve economics, endurance and energy resilience,” said Todd M. Hornbeck, Chairman, President and CEO of Hornbeck Offshore. “We are inspired by Bobby’s entrepreneurial spirit and his team’s innovative approach in the vital fight for energy dominance.”
The agreement outlines a phased development plan progressing from initial feasibility and front-end engineering design (FEED) through regulatory approval, initial prototype testing, scaled fleet integration, and long-term commercial operation. All planned deployments remain subject to final technical validation, regulatory approvals, and the execution of definitive commercial contracts.