HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) reports that it has received approval in principle (AIP) from class society ABS for a nuclear-propelled 15,000 TEU containership design.
The vessel features a propulsion system using a molten salt reactor (MSR) for heat and a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) system for power generation. ABS conducted design reviews based on classification requirements following its publication of industry guidelines for floating nuclear power in October last year.
“Fourth-generation SMRs, currently in the demonstration phase, offer a groundbreaking improvement in safety compared to conventional reactors,” said Park Sang Min Park, Senior Vice President of HD KSOE.
“When applied to large container ships, they could potentially have less risk than some of the other alternative fuel systems.”
Following the receipt of this AIP, HD KSOE says it will continue working with ABS to further develop the design.
“Advanced modern reactors are both a global decarbonisation solution and a commercial shipping disruptor,” said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher Wiernicki.
“They are a key transformational technology that forms a critical part of the calculus to get to net zero by 2050 and they change the commercial model, the economics of shipping, the operation of the vessels and their design, as KSOE have demonstrated. The new nuclear story is now being written and this collaboration with KSOE is an important step forward.”
