HD KSOE’s nuclear-powered vessel concept gets DNV nod

Classification society DNV has granted approval in principle to a container vessel concept powered by small modular reactor (SMR) technology, developed by South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).

IMAGE: Illustration of a small modular reactor (SMR)-powered vessel. ENGINE via Perplexity AI

The 15,000-TEU vessel design incorporates a supercritical CO2-based power generation system.

Supercritical CO2 is carbon dioxide heated and pressurised beyond its critical point — above 31.1°C and 73.8 bar — where it behaves as a dense fluid with both liquid and gas characteristics.

This system replaces steam to drive turbines, offering higher thermal efficiency, more compact equipment, and lower emissions than conventional steam cycles.

DNV assessed the nuclear-powered vessel’s conceptual design in accordance with applicable rules and standards.

By Tuhin Roy

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