In This Article:
- Received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for nuclear-powered container ship
- Unveiled model at U.S. New Nuclear for Maritime Summit - showcasing economic efficiency, performance, and safety
- "Developing a business model by 2030 to accelerate the commercialization of marine nuclear technology"
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), an intermediary holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding sector, has unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model utilizing Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, accelerating the development of nuclear-powered vessels.
On the 12th(Wednesday), HD KSOE announced that it had revealed its nuclear-powered container ship design model for the first time at the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit, held at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, USA.
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.
The newly unveiled design model features enhanced economic efficiency and safety by incorporating actual equipment and safety design concepts.
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. The company has also applied a marine radiation shielding system using a double-tank method with stainless steel and *light water to ensure safety.
Furthermore, HD KSOE, in collaboration with global energy technology company Baker Hughes, has applied a *supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system, improving thermal efficiency by approximately 5% compared to existing steam-based propulsion systems.
HD KSOE plans to establish a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety designs.
"Nuclear-powered vessels can be a game-changer in the current shipbuilding market, where carbon neutrality is emerging," said Patrick Ryan, Chief Technology Officer of ABS. "ABS and HD KSOE will contribute to accelerating the commercialization of marine nuclear technology in the global shipbuilding market."
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.