HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, part of HD Hyundai, introduced a prototype for a container carrier powered by a small modular reactor (SMR) at the New Nuclear for Maritime Summit in Houston.
This vessel is based on a 15,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) design, which has already received approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping, confirming its compliance with key safety standards. The prototype marks a significant step toward creating a carbon-neutral vessel, incorporating advanced safety features like a double-tank system made from stainless steel and light water to prevent radiation leaks.
Previously, HD KSOE had obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 15,000 TEU-class container ship design model applying SMR technology.
By optimizing the space formerly occupied by large engine room equipment, the design can accommodate more containers, improving economic efficiency. A marine radiation shielding system, utilizing a double-tank method with stainless steel and light water, ensures safety.
In partnership with Baker Hughes, HD KSOE has also implemented a supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system, boosting thermal efficiency by about 5% compared to conventional steam-based systems. To further test and verify the safety designs, HD KSOE plans to set up a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
Nuclear-powered vessels can be a game-changer in the current shipbuilding market, where carbon neutrality is emerging. ABS and HD KSOE will contribute to accelerating the commercialization of marine nuclear technology in the global shipbuilding market.
… said Patrick Ryan, Chief Technology Officer of ABS.
Meanwhile, at the summit, a discussion on ‘Maritime Civil Nuclear Propulsion for Large Ships’ was held, featuring Park Sangmin, Head of HD KSOE’s Green Energy Research Lab; Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President, and CEO of ABS; and John Michael Richardson, former U.S. Chief of Naval Operations.
HD KSOE is strengthening cooperation not only with major classification societies but also with international regulatory bodies to establish international regulations necessary for the commercialization of nuclear-powered vessels.
… commented said Park Sangmin.
