VARD, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has presented the results of the NuProShip II research project, exploring the integration of nuclear reactors into specialised offshore vessels and paving the way for US$20 million in funding to be allocated to a national nuclear research centre in Norway.
The original study was designed to demonstrate the technical feasibility of nuclear-powered vessels using dynamic positioning (DP). VARD developed a concept design for a nuclear-powered construction vessel based on an existing reference concept, investigating the use of a helium gas-cooled nuclear reactor as the primary power source.
The project was funded by the Research Council of Norway and led by Vard Design, in cooperation with DNV, Emerald Nuclear, Vard Electro, offshore ship owner Island Offshore, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Researchers found that nuclear-powered vessels can meet the high redundancy required for DP2 power architecture, with the potential to adapt to DP3 requirements.
The initiative also explored energy storage systems such as super-critical CO2 turbines and thermal battery systems as alternatives to conventional electrical batteries, technologies that offer the potential for extended operations and the removal of greenhouse gas emissions.
“NuProShip II demonstrates that nuclear-powered vessels are not just a vision, but a technically feasible technology,” said Henrik Burvang, Research and Innovation Manager at Vard Design.
“Our work lays the foundation for safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible shipping. We hope this project brings real value to the continued development of maritime nuclear technology.”
“It is also particularly valuable to have a professional ship owner and operator like Island Offshore in the project, proving that ship owners are focusing on this technology going forward.”
The completion of the project will be followed by further research at the Sustainable Applied and Industrialised Nuclear Technology (SAINT) Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI), led by NTNU.
The national centre has received NOK 96 million (approx. US$9.8 million) in funding, with in−kind contributions from industry partners amounting to approximately NOK 200 million (approx. US$20.4 million). The SFI SAINT will operate for eight years starting from January 2026.
