Three SMRs selected for evaluation in ship propulsion study

Tuesday, 7 January 2025

The NuProShip project is being funded by the Research Council of Norway. Alongside Norwegian shipbuilder VARD, the project is supported by prominent partners, including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, class society DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD said its primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

The ultimate purpose of the research programme is to develop a commercially viable zero-emission technology for deep-sea ships that satisfies all stakeholders and requires no subsidies after the initial development process. 

During Phase I of the project, which began in 2023 and ended on 31 December, a total of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies were assessed.

The main purpose of NuProShip I is to adjust a Generation IV SMR to the needs of international shipping. The technical starting point was an already approved design at 25–55 MW. The nuclear technology itself was studied, but also regulatory issues, safety issues, ship design implications, maintenance, handling of radioactive rest material and crew requirements.

VARD has now announced that three promising SMR designs have been selected for more in-depth assessment in NuProShip II, which will run over the next two years. This phase aims to develop a workable prototype solution. In NuProShip III, it will be tested.

The selected technologies are: Kairos Power of the USA's fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) fuel particles; Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation of the USA's helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles; and Blykalla of Sweden's lead-cooled reactor concept utilising uranium oxide as fuel.

The second phase of NuProShip will expand the consortium to include insurance companies, "a critical step for evaluating the business viability of nuclear technology in the shipping industry", VARD said.

The shipping industry consumes some 350 million tonnes of fossil fuel annually and accounts for about 3% of total worldwide carbon emissions. In July 2023, the shipping industry, via the International Maritime Organization, approved new targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by, or around, 2050.