- Building nuclear-powered containers or bulk ships faces major obstacles.
- Current interest aligns with SMRs with limited successful deployment.
- The cost of a nuclear reactor for a commercial vessel could surpass the entire ship’s cost.
While technically feasible, building nuclear-powered containers or bulk ships faces major obstacles, reports Forbes.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Current interest aligns with SMRs, but they are largely conceptual, with limited successful deployment and efficiency challenges. Dependency on high assay low enrichment uranium (HALEU) from limited suppliers (e.g., Russia) poses concerns and supply chain issues.
Security Concerns
Replicating security measures around commercial vessels akin to those of submarines or aircraft carriers presents significant challenges and costs.
Economic and Operational Challenges of Nuclear-Powered Ships
High Costs
The cost of a nuclear reactor for a commercial vessel could equal or surpass the entire ship’s cost, making it economically prohibitive. High decommissioning expenses add to the overall cost burden.
Operational Issues
Existing nuclear cargo ship examples, like the Sevmorput, highlight safety concerns, maintenance issues, and reluctance from ports to accept them due to nuclear accident preparedness.
LNG-Powered Ships: A Fossil Fuel Alternative Facing Limitations
Cleaner burning compared to marine diesel but still a fossil fuel with carbon emissions; dominance in certain segments like ferries.
Decarbonization Challenges
Synthesizing methane from hydrogen and carbon is expensive; methane’s potency as a greenhouse gas raises concerns for future use.
Carbon Capture on Ships: An Impractical Concept
Inefficiency and Energy Requirements
The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide aboard ships is inefficient, energy-intensive, and economically nonsensical.
Niche Consideration
Despite several maritime organizations investing in carbon capture pilot projects, the concept remains impractical under most conditions.
Conclusion: Decarbonization Prospects for Maritime Shipping
Batteries will rule inland and near-shore shipping; wind power might slightly boost oceanic shipping, primarily through parafoils.
Distractions
Nuclear and LNG-powered ships face significant hurdles; ammonia’s potential is limited to niche applications like actual ammonia tankers.
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Source: Forbes
