Lloyd’s Register (LR) has joined forces with Zodiac Maritime, HD KSOE and KEPCO E&C in a joint development project (JDP) for the research and development of nuclear-propelled ship designs, including bulk carriers and containerships, with the parties signing a MoU at Korea’s HD Hyundai Global R&D Center.
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 also 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, Sang-Min, Senior Vice President (Green Energy Technology), HD KSOE, and Beom-Seo, Executive Senior Vice President and Member of the Board, KEPCO E&C, said 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.
We have been assessing nuclear’s potential over many decades and we are delighted to partner with Zodiac, HD KSOE and KEPCO on this R&D project for nuclear-propelled ships.
… said Sung-Gu Park, President North East Asia, LR
To remind, ABS and Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) recently conducted a study to assess the transformational effects of nuclear propulsion on the design, operation, and emissions of a 14k TEU container vessel and a 157k DWT Suezmax tanker.
The shipping industry is on an exciting but challenging journey as we transition towards a zero-carbon future. There is clearly great potential for nuclear technology to play a key part in achieving this mission.
… commented Stavros Hatzigrigoris, New Buildings Director, Zodiac Maritime
