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CORE POWER concludes first conference, finds strong demand for New Nuclear in maritime

Speakers from Oxford University, International Atomic Energy Agency, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, ABS, Lloyd’s Register present findings at event.

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The first 'New Nuclear in Maritime' conference held in London on Thursday (6 October) concluded with strong demand for new nuclear technology to meet the needs of zero carbon fuels and future nuclear propulsion systems for large ships, according to UK based maritime and technology innovation company CORE POWER.

The conference, organised at the Science Museum in London by CORE POWER, saw 100 international executives gather to discuss and debate the path forward for molten salt reactors and micro heat pipe reactors in the marine industries.

Keynote speaker Dr. Martin Stopford told delegates that the time for making investments for the 2020s has passed, and that the time has come for making investments for the 2030s and 2040s.

For the marine industries to meet both stricter environmental targets and remain competitive will remain the biggest challenge as the high cost and low energy content of alternative fuels is realised. Without a prominent nuclear component, the industry is unlikely to meet either of its goals.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Wade Allison of Oxford University illustrated the difference between safe levels of radiation and the current regulatory maximum. A unit of measurement for an absorbed dose of 100 milli-grays (mGy) per month which was the agreed safety limit set in 1934 has a demonstrated record of no harm, in stark contrast to the current safety limit set in the 1950s of 0.1 mGy per month.

Professor Allison, who is one of the world's leading experts on radiation safety, said that nuclear radiation is safe for life at low and moderate rates and never catches and spreads like infection or fire.

Dr. Mamdouh El Shanawany, previously head of the nuclear safety division of the International Atomic Energy Agency laid out the methodologies adopted by the Agency in promoting nuclear energy for peaceful use and gave an insight into the work being done to provide guidance on new generations of nuclear technologies for the marine and transport sectors.

Secretary General of the World Nuclear Transport Institute, Martin Porter illustrated the exceptionally high standards which have been set for moving nuclear materials around as cargo and illustrated how over 50 years of transporting more than 20 million cargoes of nuclear and irradiated material, no incident has ever caused harm.

Deputy Director Regulations & Standards at the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Gwilym Stone shared how the UK Government are passing the Nuclear Code for Ships, adopted at the IMO in 1981 into law in November 2022 and how the significant work of modernising those rules for a new generation of nuclear vessels can now begin.

Meg Dowling from the American Bureau of Shipping in Houston set out how ABS are working with the US Dept of Energy to map the pathway to demonstration of new nuclear for maritime with the help of the Maritime Nuclear Applications Group working under the National Reactor Innovation Centre.

Mark Tipping from Lloyd's Register explained the important work being done at LR to create new classification rules for nuclear offshore installations and nuclear-powered ships, in anticipation of the new rules for such assets being passed by the UK Government.

Members of the CORE POWER team in London laid out use cases for molten salt reactors and micro heat pipe reactors at sea to produce synthetic fuels, hydrogen, fresh desalinated water and as future means of propulsion power.

Conference chairman Tobi Menzies concluded the day by reflecting on the string demand now forming in the marine industries for durable, sustainable energy from a new generation of nuclear engines.

The next New Nuclear in Maritime Conference has been announced for Singapore on the 8-9th February 2023.

 

Photo credit: CORE POWER
Published: 12 October, 2022

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LNG Bunkering

South Korea’s HJSC scores LNG bunkering vessel order from H-Line Shipping

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has secured its first order of the year with a contract worth KRW 127.1 billion (USD 87.6 million) to build an 18,000㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for H-Line Shipping.

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South Korean HJSC scores LNG bunkering vessel order from H-Line Shipping

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has secured its first order of the year with a contract worth KRW 127.1 billion (USD 87.6 million) to build an 18,000㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for H-Line Shipping. 

The contracted vessel is a large-scale LNG bunkering ship measuring 144 meters in length, 25.2 meters in width, and 12.8 meters in depth. It is capable of supplying up to 18,000㎥ of LNG in a single operation to LNG-fuelled ships. 

Equipped with two independent LNG tanks certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the vessel features a dual-fuel propulsion system that allows it to operate on both eco-friendly LNG and marine diesel oil. This advanced system ensures both stability and operational efficiency while effectively reducing carbon emissions.

Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJSC, said, “As global LNG demand and supply continue to grow, the LNG bunkering vessel market will see steady expansion.” 

“We will focus on strengthening our expertise in building eco-friendly, high-value-added ships, securing a competitive edge that aligns with our legacy as a leader in shipbuilding.”

This achievement follows the company's success in 2014 when it built the world’s first 5,100㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for Japan’s NYK Line.

“This accomplishment also reinforces South Korea’s shipbuilding industry's efforts to enhance competitiveness by securing high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels in the global market,” HJSC said. 

“Notably, with the anticipated expansion of oil and natural gas drilling and the resumption of LNG exports under the second Trump administration in the US, the market for crude oil carriers, LNG carriers, and LNG bunkering vessels is expected to see significant growth.”

“This trend is likely to benefit the country’s highly competitive shipbuilding industry.”

 

Photo credit: HJ Shipbuilding & Construction
Published: 12 February, 2025

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Methanol

India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

Construction of the bunker barge is part of a MoU between Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar and Deendayal Port Authority to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla.

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India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

India’s shipping company Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar on Sunday (9 February) announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deendayal Port Authority on 8 February to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla. 

The firm said the construction of India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge will be a key part of this initiative to cater to the growing requirement for sustainable maritime fuel. 

“India’s first methanol bunker barge will be constructed at Deendayal Port, marking a significant step in accelerating green shipping and decarbonisation,” said Bhupendra Sinh Jadeja, Managing Director of Bapu’s Shipping. 

“With global ports like Shanghai, Ulsan, Singapore, and Rotterdam advancing methanol bunkering, India is stepping up! Deendayal Port Authority has committed to providing necessary infrastructure support to fast-track the bunker supply chain.”

“We are honoured to be their channel partner in this transformative journey.”

 

Photo credit: Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar
Published: 12 February, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Argus Media: California aims to expand alternative bunker fuels

State senate bill 298, introduced by state senator Anna Caballero, would require a plan to be developed by 31 December 2030 for use and deployment of alternative marine fuels at California’s public seaports.

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California lawmakers will consider expanding alternative marine fuels use by ocean-going vessels on the state's coast.

12 February 2025

State senate bill 298, introduced by state senator Anna Caballero (D), would require the California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission), the California Transportation Agency and the state board to develop a plan by 31 December 2030 for the use and deployment of alternative fuels at California's public seaports.

The plan should identify significant alternative fuel infrastructure and equipment trends, needs, and issues and describe how the state will facilitate permitting and construction of infrastructure to support alternative fuels. The plan should also identify locations for alternative fuel infrastructure, provide a reasonable timeline for its installment and estimate the costs, including public or private financing opportunities.

The bill also calls for the Energy Commission to convene a working group consisting of representatives of seaports, marine terminal operators, ocean carriers, waterfront labor, cargo owners, environmental and community advocacy groups, the Transportation Agency, the state board, the Public Utilities Commission, and air quality management and air pollution control districts. The working group will advise the commission.

The US territorial waters, including California's, are designated as emission control areas (ECAs). In the ECAs, the sulphur content of marine fuel burned by ocean-going vessels is capped at 0.1pc. Thus ocean-going vessels within 24 nautical miles of California burn 0.1pc sulphur maximum marine gasoil (MGO). Ocean-going vessels could achieve the equivalent of 0.1pc sulphur marine fuel emissions by installing marine exhaust scrubbers. But California has banned their use. California is the only US state that has banned the outright use of marine scrubbers.

California also requires that ocean-going vessels while at berth in California ports must either use shore power or use alternative technology such as batteries. The regulation came into force for container ships, reefers and cruise ships in 2023. It came into force this January for tankers visiting Los Angeles and Long beach and for roll on roll off vessels. Starting on 1 January 2027, it will apply to all tankers at berth in all California's ports.

US harbor craft vessels (such as barges, commercial fishing vessels, excursion vessels, dredgers, pilot vessels, tugboats and workboats) in California's waters are required to burn renewable diesel (R99 or R100). By comparison, elsewhere in the US, harbor craft vessels are required to burn ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). In January, Los Angeles ULSD averaged at $773/t and R99 at $962/t.

By Stefka Wechsler

 

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 12 February, 2025

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