ABS introduces shipping’s first nuclear-ready notation

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released a nuclear-ready notation for commercial vessels and offshore nuclear power plants.

IMAGE: A concept design developed as part of ABS study on nuclear propulsion in commercial vessels. ABS

The notation is the first of its kind in the global shipping industry, ABS said.

Nuclear-ready means that the vessel or offshore power plant will initially operate on conventional propulsion systems, such as marine fuels or diesel-electric power, but will include provisions for a future conversion to nuclear propulsion.

“Readiness considerations evaluated under the notation may include space allocation, structural arrangements, system interfaces, safety-related features and other design elements needed to support a future nuclear conversion,” ABS said.

The notation confirms that a potential future conversion to nuclear propulsion has been considered at the design stage and meets ABS classification requirements.

This could reduce the need for major modifications later in an asset's life and provide greater long-term flexibility, ABS added.

By Konica Bhatt

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