HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has revealed its latest small modular reactor (SMR)- powered container ship design. The announcement was made on 12 February at the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit, held at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, USA.
Key Features of the New Design
- Enhanced Safety & Economic Efficiency:
- Incorporates actual equipment and safety design concepts for improved performance.
- Uses a marine radiation shielding system with a double-tank method featuring stainless steel and light water.
- Increased Cargo Space:
- Eliminates the need for engine exhaust systems and fuel tanks, optimizing space for additional containers.
- Innovative Propulsion System:
- Developed in collaboration with Baker Hughes.
- It uses a supercritical carbon dioxide-based system, improving thermal efficiency by 5% compared to traditional steam propulsion.
- Marine Nuclear Demonstration Facility:
- Planned at the Future Technology Test Centre in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety standards.
Strategic Collaborations & Industry Impact
HD KSOE is actively working with classification societies and international regulatory bodies to establish rules for nuclear-powered vessels. Park Sangmin, Head of HD KSOE’s Green Energy Research Lab, emphasized:
“Starting with the land-based SMR reactor manufacturing project, we aim to develop a marine nuclear business model by 2030.”
Ongoing & Future Nuclear Shipping Projects
- Floating Offshore Nuclear Power Barge (October 2023)
- Approved in principle by ABS.
- Designed for offshore power generation in remote locations.
- Nuclear-Propelled Ship Development (January 2024)
- Lloyd’s Register, Zodiac Maritime, Kepco E&C, and HD KSOE signed an MoU for nuclear-propelled bulk carriers and container ships.
- SMR for Shipping (February 2024)
- Collaboration with Core Power (UK), Southern Company (USA), and TerraPower (USA).
- Based on TerraPower’s Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR), with a marine adaptation known as m-MSR.
Nuclear Shipping & Decarbonization Goals
- The shipping industry consumes 350 million tonnes of fossil fuels annually, contributing to 3% of global carbon emissions.
- In July 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a net-zero emissions target for the industry by 2050.
- HD KSOE’s advancements in nuclear propulsion align with these efforts, offering a zero-emission alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based shipping.
HD KSOE’s developments position nuclear-powered ships as a key solution in the maritime sector’s transition toward sustainability.
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Source: World Nuclear News
