The Research Council of Norway has pledged NOK 20 million ($2 million) in initial funding to support the Marine Nuclear Propulsion System (MarNuPS) Pilot project, which is aiming to move maritime nuclear propulsion from system development towards physical integration and testing, with first vessel deployment targeted for 2031/32. The project is led by Emerald Nuclear Norway, and brings together VARD Group, Vard Electro, Island Offshore, NTNU, Imperial College London and Maskindynamikk in a consortium spanning reactor technology, ship design and integration, vessel operations, automation and academic research. The Research Council support comes in addition to substantial self-financing by the project […]

A new whitepaper from Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the British Ports Association (BPA) has concluded that: ‘Advanced nuclear technology could reshape port environments, maritime operations and industrial energy systems…. [as]  it offers potential benefits in reliable low-carbon power, shore power, industrial heat, fuel production, vessel propulsion, resilience and high value maritime services.’ However, the whitepaper also noted that: ‘Advanced nuclear is not imminent for every port, nor is it a universal solution. But it is strategically significant and relevant to future energy demand such that port leaders should begin structured, proportionate planning in the near-term.’ After summarising the current state […]

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance nuclear-powered commercial shipping. In a statement sent to ship.energy yesterday (12 October), ABS said that the agreement spans floating power solutions, nuclear-powered vessels and ‘the development of the ports, shipyards and industrial base needed to build and sustain them’. The classification society added that the ‘key priorities’ will include feasibility studies for floating nuclear power and nuclear transportation corridors, and working to develop the capacity for building nuclear-power shipping in the US. John McDonald, ABS […]