Nuclear-powered boxship sparks buzz at Houston summit

In Houston, Splash247 reports at the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit on February 12, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering unveiled a model of a 15,000 TEU nuclear-powered containership using small modular reactor technology. The design eliminates fuel tanks and exhaust systems, freeing up space for additional cargo.

HD KSOE has integrated a marine radiation shielding system, using a double-tank method with stainless steel and light water. It has also collaborated with Baker Hughes to introduce a supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system, which “improves thermal efficiency by approximately 5% compared to existing steam-based propulsion systems.” The company plans to establish a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center.

ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher Wiernicki said,“The economics are compelling over the life of a vessel. When you account for fuel differentials, the cost of compliance and residual value, it costs roughly the same as fossil options, only with zero carbon operations.” ABS granted approval in principle for the design.

HD KSOE has been accelerating nuclear technology development since 2023, working with TerraPower on next-generation SMRs. In December, it secured an order to manufacture main equipment for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, now under construction in Wyoming.

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