Maritime industry eyes nuclear propulsion

Swiss automation company ABB and Swedish small modular reactor maker Blykalla have expanded their partnership to introduce lead-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs) to the maritime industry.

IMAGE: KAERI and SHI’s MSR-powered LNG carrier concept. KAERI

The move builds on an agreement signed in October 2024 that focused on advancing lead-cooled SMR technology for Sweden’s energy sector, and now extends into shipping — where interest in nuclear propulsion is growing as part of decarbonisation efforts.

While nuclear propulsion has been considered for merchant shipping for decades, progress has been limited by safety concerns. SMRs — compact nuclear units designed for flexible deployment — are increasingly seen as a breakthrough solution, offering space-efficient designs for large vessels and the ability to operate for years without refuelling.

Blykalla’s design is a "passively safe" lead-cooled SMR already under review for maritime adaptation, the company said. It was also selected as one of three reactor concepts in the Nuclear Propulsion for Merchant Ships I (NuProShip I) project, which is developing SMRs tailored to the operational needs of larger ships. ABB will contribute its expertise in power distribution, automation and control systems to support deployment at sea.

“SMRs hold significant potential to drive decarbonisation, and our collaboration with Blykalla will help to advance their viability in maritime applications,” said Juha Koskela, president of ABB's marine and ports division.

Separately, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for an LNG carrier powered by a molten salt reactor (MSR).

The MSR has a capacity of 100 megawatt thermal (MWth) and uses molten salt mixed with nuclear fuel and coolant as liquid nuclear fuel. A single unit could operate an LNG carrier throughout its lifetime without fuel replacement, according to KAERI.

MSR technology is gaining attention in shipping thanks to its high safety standards and energy efficiency, KAERI added.

The announcement was made this week at Gastech 2025 in Milan, Italy.

By Tuhin Roy

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