Nuclear

Core Power: Nuclear power highlighted at IMO Maritime Safety Committee

Several delegates during MSC 108 agreed that a revision of the Nuclear Code is necessary to reflect improvements in nuclear reactor technologies for ships, according to Core Power.

Published

8 months ago

June 3, 2024

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Mikal Bøe, Chairman and CEO of Core Power, addresses IMO on behalf of World Nuclear Transport Institute at MSC 108

UK-based firm Core Power on Wednesday (29 May) said there is growing recognition at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that the existing regulatory framework for nuclear-powered ships needs to be updated as part of the work to ensure that the IMO’s greenhouse gas reduction targets can be reached in a safe manner.

The 108th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), held from May 15 to 24, had on its agenda “Development of a Safety Regulatory Framework to Support the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships Using New Technologies and Alternative Fuels”.

The meeting reviewed work undertaken in a correspondence group between MSC 107 last year and MSC 108. MSC 108 established a working group to make further progress.

“The outcome of work done so far is a list of alternative fuels and new technologies that can help reduce GHG emissions from ships, along with an information-gathering exercise to describe each fuel and technology, and the hazards/risks associated with using them on ships. Nuclear power is on the list,” Core Power, specialising in scalable new nuclear for ocean transport and heavy industry, said on its website.

“The work done so far has also sought to identify regulatory barriers and gaps in existing regulations preventing mass deployment of the various fuel and technologies, though this exercise is not complete.”

MSC 108 also noted with appreciation MSC 108/INF.21 submitted by the World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) containing a gap analysis of the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships. The document highlights that the Nuclear Code, adopted as Resolution A.491 in 1981, is specific to early pressurised water reactor (PWR) designs, and needs updating to reflect and accommodate positive technology developments.

“During discussions at MSC 108, several delegates agreed that a revision of the Nuclear Code is necessary to reflect improvements in nuclear reactor technologies for ships. Comments were also made about a need for synchronising work at the IMO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to create an appropriate international legal framework applicable to modern reactor designs on ships, and on floating nuclear power plants,” it added.

The MSC 108 working group document outlining instruments causing barriers and gaps in current IMO instruments also identifies that the Nuclear Code urgently needs a revision, and points to the gap analysis provided by experts in MSC 108/INF.21 by WNTI.

Moving forward, within the next year, Core Power said MSC is expected to outline tasks to assign to relevant sub-committees to either develop amendments to existing IMO instruments, or develop new instrument(s), to address gaps and barriers in safety regulations that may impede the safe use of an alternative fuel or new technology. Nuclear power will continue to be included in these MSC activities.

“A correspondence group will develop recommendations to address identified barriers and gaps in IMO instrument and how to address them. The correspondence group will submit a report to MSC 110 in 2025, with an interim verbal report to MSC 109 in December 2024,” it concluded.

“The work under this agenda item is considered urgent and important as it supports the IMO’s GHG Strategy.”

Photo credit: Core Power
Published: 3 June 2024

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Nuclear

VARD and partners team up to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Project, which involves Knutsen Tankers and DNV, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

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VARD and partners team up in project to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types.

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD’s 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.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

Nuclear

Maersk joins LR and Core Power to study nuclear-powered container shipping

Firms will conduct research on regulatory feasibility and frameworks that would need to be established for a nuclear containership using a fourth-generation reactor to undertake cargo operations at a port in Europe.

Published

5 months ago

August 19, 2024

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Maersk joins LR and Core Power to study nuclear-powered container shipping

UK-based firm Core Power on Thursday (15 August) said Danish-shipping giant A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has agreed to join a study by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Core Power on the potential for nuclear-propelled feeder container shipping in Europe.

The three parties will conduct research on the regulatory feasibility and frameworks that would need to be established for a nuclear containership using a fourth-generation reactor noted for its high inherent safety to undertake cargo operations at a port in Europe.

The joint study will investigate the requirements for updated safety rules along with the improved operational and regulatory understanding that is needed for the application of nuclear power in container shipping.

In addition, this study will provide insight for members of the maritime value chain who are exploring the business case for nuclear power to help shape their fleet strategy towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The study will bring together the expertise of LR as a trusted adviser to the maritime industry, Core Power’s experience of developing advanced nuclear energy technology for maritime applications, a port authority and Maersk's extensive experience in shipping and logistics.

Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology, A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “Since Maersk launched its energy transition strategy in 2018, we have continuously explored diverse low emission energy options for our assets.”

“Nuclear power holds a number of challenges related to for example safety, waste management, and regulatory acceptance across regions, and so far, the downsides have clearly outweighed the benefits of the technology.”

“If these challenges can be addressed by development of the new so-called fourth-generation reactor designs, nuclear power could potentially mature into another possible decarbonization pathway for the logistics industry 10 to 15 years in the future. Therefore, we continue to monitor and assess this technology, along with all other low emission solutions.”

Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register, said: “The initiation of this joint study marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards unlocking the potential of nuclear power in the maritime industry, paving the way for emissions-free operations, more agile service networks and greater efficiency through the supply chain.”

“A multi-fuel pathway to decarbonising the maritime industry is crucial to ensuring we as an industry meet the IMO’s emission reduction targets and nuclear propulsion shows signs of playing a key role in this energy transition.”

Mikal Bøe, CEO of Core Power, said: “There’s no net-zero without nuclear. A critical key to unlocking the vast potential for nuclear energy to transform how the maritime sector is powered, is the standards framework for commercial insurability of floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered ships that would operate in nearshore environments, ports, and waterways.”

“We’re immensely pleased to be working with some of Europe’s most respected industry participants to set out the conditions for how this can be achieved.”

Photo credit: Maersk
Published: 19 August, 2024

Nuclear

ABS and KRISO partner to advance SMR-powered vessels

KRISO will also design a floating SMR power generation platform, a nuclear power plant on the sea, along with a commercialisation model that can supply stable power to island areas in the future.

Published

6 months ago

July 22, 2024

Admin

ABS and KRISO partner to advance SMR-powered vessels

Classification society ABS on Friday (19 July) said it has teamed up with the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) to advance commercial small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships and floating SMR power generation platforms.

ABS will provide analysis of applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards for the design of SMR-powered ships.

KRISO will develop core technologies for SMR-powered ships, including conceptual designs for the vessel and propulsion systems as well as the development of a framework for integrated ship, nuclear power safety analysis.

In addition, KRISO will design a floating SMR power generation platform, a nuclear power plant on the sea, along with a commercialisation model that can supply stable power to island areas in the future.

“ABS is taking a leading role in the support of nuclear power projects in the maritime industry through our knowledge of international regulations and development of Class-related related safety requirements,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

“We are proud to apply our experience to these research projects with KRISO. With the increased focus on zero-carbon emissions, modern nuclear technologies offer the potential for decarbonisation in many areas of the sector.”

“Through this joint research with ABS, we will lead the development of future eco-friendly marine technology and establish global standards for the commercialisation of SMRs in the marine sector and will lead the global market for nuclear-powered ships in the future,” said Keyyong Hong, President of KRISO.

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 22 July 2024