South Korea unveils container ship powered by modular reactor

A South Korean company has unveiled a model of a container ship powered by a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). The new propulsion system aims to reduce the carbon footprint of container shipping. Global shipping consumes around 350 million tonnes of fossil fuels a year and accounts for about 3% of global carbon emissions.

South Korea’s Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) unveiled a model of a container ship powered by a small modular reactor at a US summit in February. The company envisages a vessel capable of carrying 15 thousand TEU (20-foot shipping containers).

"HD KSOE is strengthening cooperation not only with major classification societies, but also with international regulatory bodies, to establish the international regulations necessary to commercialise nuclear-powered vessels," said Park Sangmin, head of research at HD KSOE.

According to HD KSOE, the newly unveiled model offers improved economic efficiency and safety. Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered vessels do not require engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks. This allowed the company to optimise the space normally occupied by engine-room equipment to accommodate additional containers, thereby increasing economic efficiency.

Decarbonising maritime transport

Last year, HD KSOE announced an agreement to develop an SMR for use in shipping, in cooperation with the UK’s Core Power and US companies Southern Company and TerraPower. The reactor for maritime use is to be based on a Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) design (MCFR).

The partnership aims to decarbonise shipping, which, according to the company, consumes approximately 350 million tonnes of fossil fuels a year. This represents about 3% of total global carbon emissions.

"Starting with an SMR reactor project on land, we aim to develop a commercial model for maritime nuclear power by 2030," Sangmin added.

Last year, the International Maritime Organization approved new targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality around 2050.