Maritime industry believes reactors could be a game changer
A South Korean shipbuilding company has unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model using small modular reactor (SMR) technology, potentially accelerating the development of nuclear-powered vessels.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), an intermediary holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding sector, revealed its nuclear-powered container ship design model for the first time at the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit, held at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, US.
Previously, HD KSOE had obtained approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 15,000 TEU-class container ship design model applying SMR technology. TEU stands for “twenty-foot equivalent unit” and is a unit of measurement used in shipping to describe the capacity of containers and ships.
The newly unveiled design model features improved economic efficiency and safety by incorporating actual equipment and safety design concepts.
Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered vessels do not require engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks.
HD KSOE has optimised the space previously occupied by large engine room equipment to accommodate additional containers, enhancing economic efficiency.
The company has also applied a marine radiation shielding system using a double-tank method with stainless steel and light water as a coolant to ensure safety.
“Nuclear-powered vessels can be a game-changer in the current shipbuilding market, where carbon neutrality is emerging,” said Patrick Ryan, chief technology Officer of ABS. “ABS and HD KSOE will contribute to accelerating the commercialisation of marine nuclear technology in the global shipbuilding market.”
Last year the maritime industry unveiled its first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants as the sector lays the groundwork for deploying onboard reactors to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions.
The maritime industry believes nuclear power could transform the sector with emissions-free shipping, whilst extending the life cycle of vessels and removing the uncertainty of fuel and refuelling infrastructure development. However, regulation and safety considerations must be addressed for its widespread commercial adoption
A report last year by Netherlands-based nuclear development and consulting company ULC-Energy concluded that nuclear propulsion offers the lowest operational cost for bulk shipping carriers which could use reactors to sail “longer, faster, and cheaper”, all without producing greenhouse gas emissions.
