Nuclear News

Looking back at history one could argue that it was French author Jules Verne in his book “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, published in 1869, who was speculating about a new power source much in the same out of the box thinking that H.G. Wells employed when he wrote about inter-planetary flight in “War of the World’s. Verne was writing about “electricity” from batteries using seawater which he created after studying the model of the newly developed French Navy submarine “Plongeur” at the Exposition of 1867.In the novel…

A new joint study using the Port of Rotterdam as a case study “Enabling Nuclear-Powered Feeder Ships: A Joint Development Project on Port Call Feasibility and Regulatory Pathways” has found that existing port safety and risk-management frameworks could provide a credible starting point for assessing nuclear-powered commercial ship calls within a major European port environment.The desktop study, carried out through a joint development project involving Lloyd’s Register, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, CORE POWER and A.P.

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) for the integration of a nuclear reactor into a cargo vessel propulsion system developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Capital Maritime Group.This design uses a special synthetic fluid to carry heat from the reactor core. Today’s designs typically focus on micro-scale thermal outputs of 10 to 20 megawatts. The MIT design’s near-atmospheric operating pressure can allow for thinner…

ABS announced the release of the ABS Nuclear-Ready Notation, an industry first classification notation for marine and offshore assets designed to support future conversion to nuclear energy.The notation is featured in the latest ABS document, the Guide for Nuclear Ready Applications for Marine and Offshore.The notation offers a practical mechanism to help with preserving long-term flexibility, reducing the risk of major redesign later in an asset's life cycle, and demonstrating that future nuclear conversion has been addressed in accordance with ABS requirements.

With demonstration projects now underway, including a nuclear-powered LNG tanker and an offshore vessel, the debate is shifting from whether nuclear shipping is possible to how it can be delivered. Jan Emblemsvåg, Professor at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU)'s Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering in Ålesund, argues that the key barriers are no longer technical, but regulatory, commercial and political.Nuclear propulsion is returning to the…

Introduction. Looking back at history one could argue that it was French author Jules Verne in his book “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, published in 1869, who was speculating about a new power source much in the same out of the box thinking that H.G. Wells employed when he wrote about inter-planetary flight in “War of the World’s. Verne was writing about “electricity” from batteries using seawater which he created after studying the model of the newly developed French Navy submarine “Plongeur” at the Exposition of 1867.In the novel…

Copenhagen Atomics has successfully completed two years of continuous operation of a molten salt pump and test loop at its facilities in Copenhagen. The system has been running without issues under high-temperature molten salt conditions, marking one of the longest continuous durability tests of its kind worldwide.Molten salt reactors rely on pumps to circulate liquid fuel or coolant at temperatures exceeding 600 °C for years at a time. Demonstrating long-term, stable pump operation…

A U.K.-led maritime consortium has set out plans to develop international standards for nuclear-powered commercial ships, as Britain seeks a leading role in efforts to decarbonize global shipping.The Maritime Nuclear Consortium, convened by Lloyd’s Register, brings together companies from the nuclear, maritime, insurance and regulatory sectors to address safety, security, regulation and commercial viability for nuclear-powered vessels.The consortium’s core members include Lloyd’s Register…

Allseas’ small modular reactor (SMR) technology could generate up to $150 million billion in economic value for the Netherlands and create as many as 40,000 new jobs by 2050, according to an impact study released on Monday by the offshore engineering group.The study, conducted by consultancy Roland Berger, found that deploying the company’s 25 MWe / 70 MWt high-temperature gas-cooled SMR could also help cut grid congestion, strengthen energy security and deliver major emissions…

The South Korean-owned Philly Shipyard in the United States does not currently have the capability to build a nuclear-powered submarine, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Thursday during a parliamentary hearing.His remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media last week that he had given approval for South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine and that it would be built in the Philadelphia shipyard.Trump posted the comment on his Truth Social platform after South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung asked him during a summit to let his country…

ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish nuclear energy company Blykalla to support and accelerate the deployment of small modular lead-cooled reactors to the maritime industry.Building on the terms of an existing MoU between Blykalla and ABB signed in October 2024, which targets developing lead-cooled SMR technology to support Sweden’s clean energy requirements, the agreement expands the partnership and aligns with growing momentum for nuclear energy as a marine power source.Blykalla’s Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER) is a highly compact…

The U.S. in recent days suspended licenses for nuclear equipment suppliers to sell to China's power plants, according to four people familiar with the matter, as the two countries engage in a damaging trade war.The suspensions were issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the people said, and affect export licenses for parts and equipment used with nuclear power plants.Nuclear equipment suppliers are among a wide range of companies whose sales have been restricted over the past two weeks as the U.S.-China trade war shifted from negotiating tariffs to throttling each other's supply chains.

Dutch offshore contractor Allseas has launched a five-year plan to design, develop and deploy a Small modular reactor (SMR) tailored for integration into offshore vessels and for onshore use.Building on 40 years of engineering expertise in the offshore energy industry, Allseas move into nuclear marks the next bold step aimed at delivering clean, high-performance energy systems to sea and shore.Allseas has selected High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) in the 25 MWe range, due to their inherently safe characteristics.

Fincantieri, newcleo and Pininfarina have unveiled the look of the next-generation sustainable nuclear generator for maritime applications.The look of newcleo’s fourth-generation lead-cooled fast reactor has been revelated at International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.Combining technological vision, industrial expertise, and cutting-edge design, the three companies have collaborated to redefine the image of nuclear energy. Visitors are invited reimagine their…

The maritime industry has worked with a single fuel source for over a century and with the rush to meet emission standards in both domestic and foreign markets, adapting to the current list of alternative fuels is going to present significant problems. Each market has its issues whether bluewater, brownwater, coastal, foreign or domestic.Chose any of the larger global shipbuilding yards and the basic bluewater ship design will include a large two stroke combustion engine.To remove…

Queensland's ship design group Seatransport and Houston-based Deployable Energy are collaborating with Lloyd’s Register (LR) to develop nuclear power generation for different applications, including strategic response vessels in remote areas. Using micro modular reactor (MMR) technology, two to five MMRs of 1MWe capacity each will power a 73-metre amphibious vessel, designed for emergency response and disaster relief duties in remote areas. This will enable the vessel to operate for 8-10 years without refueling…

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday launched a nuclear-powered submarine equipped with hypersonic Zircon missiles capable of travelling at several times the speed of sound.Russian news agencies, referring to a video link from the Arctic port of Murmansk, said Putin launched the vessel, named Perm after a city in the Urals, with the order: "I hereby authorise!"The Russian agencies, quoting documents associated with the launch, said the Perm is the first nuclear-powered submarine to be equipped with Zircon missiles as a standard feature.Zircon missiles have a range of 900 km (560 miles) and the

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright delivered a keynote address at CERAWeek 2025, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to expanding American energy production while ensuring affordability, reliability, and security.Wright criticized previous energy policies for focusing too narrowly on climate concerns, arguing that they led to higher costs and economic instability. He reaffirmed the administration’s support for natural gas, nuclear, and expanded energy infrastructure…

In the ever-evolving quest for cleaner, more efficient energy sources in maritime vessel operations, nuclear power has re-emerged as a topic of serious discussion, as shipowners eye the International Maritime Organization push to ‘net zero’ on or around 2050. Admittedly, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution for the entirety of maritime premised on the wide variety of routes and ship types, but nuclear holds promise in several large-ship, oceangoing sectors. Phil Lewis, Director of Research at Intelatus…

Core Power, NorthStandard, and Lloyd’s Register (LR) jointly published Advanced Maritime Nuclear: A unique opportunity for the UK. The new paper sets out a policy framework for the UK Government to support the deployment of advanced small nuclear reactors on commercial ships and FNPPs. The report argues that the Department for Transport should include nuclear-powered shipping and FNPPs in an updated Clean Maritime Plan (CMP) and long-term nuclear strategy.In the foreword to the paper…

A nuclear-propelled containership designed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) received approval in principle from ABS.The design for a 15k TEU vessel uses a propulsion system comprised of a molten salt reactor (MSR) for heat and a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) system for power generation. Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered vessels do not require engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks. HD KSOE has optimized the space previously occupied by large engine room equipment to accommodate additional containers, enhancing economic efficiency.

“New nuclear technology is a global decarbonization solution and a commercial shipping disruptor. There is no net zero by 2050 without nuclear.”That was the view from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, speaking at the Core Power New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit.“New nuclear is a transformational technology. It disrupts the commercial model, the economics of shipping, as well as the operation of vessels and, of course, their design,” said Wiernicki. “Not only does it offer zero carbon operations but higher power with faster transit speeds…

The industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants have been unveiled by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at a forum for nuclear industry leaders held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL).Held at ABS’ world headquarters in Texas, the event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from leading companies and publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modeling the design, operation and emissions of a floating nuclear…