Nuclear

LR: Shipping’s readiness to adopt nuclear is advancing as new technology progresses

Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor shows an upwards trend in the readiness of all nuclear technology types and the interventions required to improve maritime’s nuclear investment case, says LR.

Published

5 months ago

July 3, 2024

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LR: Shipping’s readiness to adopt nuclear is advancing as new technology progresses

New nuclear technologies are increasingly being considered and developed for shipping as defence and civil offshore applications underpin the case for their adoption, said not-for-profit organisation Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LR MDH) on Monday (1 July).

In its most recent expert-led assessment of nuclear solutions in the Zero-Carbon Fuel Monitor, LR MDH, a joint initiative between Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, points to improvements in nuclear-power technology readiness levels with offshore applications increasingly being proven.

To reflect growing maritime industry focus, the Monitor now evaluates five nuclear technology categories up from three in 2023 with high temperature gas reactors and liquid metal cooled reactors joining pressurized water reactors (PWRS) micro-reactors (heat pipes), and molten salt reactors in this year’s assessment.

According to the Monitor, the advent of enhances the inherent level of safety in designs of onboard ship energy systems, helping to address public safety concerns. Further, technologies that can recycle the “spent fuel” from PWRs reduce the potential environmental impact of spent fuel disposal and the practicality of offshore refuelling has also been showcased with the first refuelling of a floating nuclear power station took place at the Akademik Lomonosov platform in November 2023.

However, despite these technological advancements, community readiness levels (CRLs) remain affected by public perception of the nuclear industry and investment readiness levels (IRL) are low due to uncertainties around the wider uptake of nuclear technologies in commercial shipping.

As more evidence from testbed technological solutions becomes available, uncertainties in operation, costs and safety aspects will diminish. Development of regulations have now also been initiated to facilitate the adoption of nuclear technologies in offshore application, further supporting advancement of investment and community readiness.

Amelia Hipwell, Decarbonisation Innovation Manager for LR MDH, said: “An inherent advantage of nuclear power as marine energy source is that nuclear-powered ships are able operate for many years without bunkering and could potentially even supply power to ports whilst docked. Commercial shipping has the opportunity to leverage an existing land-based nuclear production supply chain and decades of experience in nuclear power for deployment.”

“Therefore, from the technological perspective, the industry is making faster progress. It is now essential for the nuclear and maritime industries to collaborate in addressing issues that impact community and investment readiness, including regulatory uncertainties and overall negative public perception of security risk and safety of nuclear deployment in commercial shipping.”

Chirayu Batra, Chief Technology Officer, Lucid Catalyst, who contributed to the ZCFM nuclear assessment, said, “Nuclear power is a zero-carbon, reliable, and mature technology that has been in use for more than 60 years and has undergone testing and deployment in both commercial and defense applications within the maritime domain. We have therefore rated nuclear’s technology readiness level on the upper range for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), as both the fuel and technology are already being used in floating nuclear power stations for supplying electricity offshore. The key challenge is to take that further step to develop nuclear solutions specifically for large scale commercial shipping.”

“We now have the opportunity to create an enabling regulatory framework to decarbonise maritime shipping with the help of nuclear, classification societies like LR have a key role to play in this process. The ZCFM is a great platform to enable more widespread public understanding of the readiness, benefits and challenges of adopting nuclear as a zero-carbon energy option in shipping.”

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 3 July, 2024

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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

4 months ago

August 19, 2024

Admin

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

5 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

Alternative Fuels

LR publishes reports on LPG and nuclear as future bunker fuels for shipping

Reports explore safety, adoption drivers, and technology readiness to help stakeholders navigate the changing fuel landscape, says LR.

Published

5 months ago

July 8, 2024

Admin

LR publishes reports on LPG and nuclear as future bunker fuels for shipping

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) recently released new reports on LPG and nuclear as future bunker fuels for shipping in its Fuel for Thought series.

These reports explore safety, adoption drivers, and technology readiness to help stakeholders navigate the changing fuel landscape.

They also examine regulations, operator interest, and economic factors impacting the adoption of these sustainable fuels.

In its conclusion in its LPG report, Lloyd’s Register said the long-term decarbonisation potential of LPG will depend on the scaling up of renewable fuel production, which is anticipated to be rapid as traditional LPG users seek to reduce their environmental impact

“Meanwhile demand and seaborne trade is expected to grow in the coming years, necessitating growth in the global fleet of LPG carriers and providing the opportunity for further uptake of LPG as a fuel in that fleet,” it said.

LR also noted that increased uptake of LPG in the commercial maritime sector comes with challenges such as limited engine technologies to support it.

“Currently, for example, there is no four-stroke marine engine capable of using LPG, meaning auxiliary engines on vessels would need to be decarbonised through an additional fuel,” it said.

Note: LR’s reports on LPG and nuclear can be accessed here and here.

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 8 July, 2024