Nuclear propulsion R&D project

Lloyd’s Register (LR),  Zodiac Maritime, HD KSOE and KEPCO E&C are in a joint development project for the research and development of nuclear-propelled ship designs, including bulk carriers and container ships.  The parties signed an MOU at Korea’s HD Hyundai Global R&D Center.

A new report commissioned by LNG-promoting group SEA-LNG described the plan for nuclear propulsion on merchant ships as a “moonshot”. That probably reflects widespread views. However, LR says in a statement: “The move comes as the shipping industry looks more closely at nuclear as a future marine fuel in the context of the energy transition and decarbonisation targets. Under the JDP, HD KSOE and KEPCO E&C will provide designs for future vessels and its reactors while LR will assess rule requirements for safe operation and regulatory compliance models. The JDP partners will work to address the challenges involved with nuclear propulsion, such as applying existing terrestrial nuclear technology to ships, and the project will enable Zodiac to evaluate ship specifications and voyage considerations around nuclear technology.”

In a joint statement, Mr. Park, Sang-Min: Senior Vice President (Green Energy Technology), HD KSOE and Mr. Park, Beom-Seo: Executive Senior Vice President and Member of the Board, KEPCO E&C say: “As leading companies in the shipbuilding and nuclear industry, HD KSOE and KEPCO E&C, are collaborating on the design of a Nuclear propulsion ship. A Nuclear propulsion ship emits no carbon, and its paramount goal is to be designed with a life cycle cost (LCA) of less than half that of carbon neutral ships.”