"Powering Ships with Nuclear Energy"... HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Applies SMR Technology to Vessels

Design Model Unveiled at the US 'Maritime Nuclear Summit'
"Development to be Completed by 2030... Accelerating Commercialization of Technology"

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model applying Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. The concept envisions moving ships using carbon-free nuclear power. Starting with the design model release, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is accelerating the development of maritime nuclear technology to deploy 'small nuclear reactors' at sea.

On the 12th local time, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that it unveiled the nuclear-powered container ship design model for the first time at the 'Houston Maritime Nuclear Summit' held at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, USA. Previously, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries had received basic approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 15,000 TEU (1 TEU equals one 20-foot container) class container ship design model applying SMR technology.

A rendering of a container ship powered by a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) unveiled by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. It has a capacity of 15,000 TEU (1 TEU equals one 20-foot container). Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Division Head Park Sang-min stated at the summit, "HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is strengthening cooperation not only with major classification societies but also with international regulatory agencies to establish international regulations necessary for the commercialization of nuclear-powered ships," adding, "Starting with the production business of land-based SMR reactors, we will complete the development of a maritime nuclear business model by 2030."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries highlighted that the newly unveiled nuclear-powered container ship design model features improved economic efficiency and safety. By allowing more containers to be loaded in the space previously occupied by large engine room equipment, economic efficiency was enhanced, and a marine radiation shielding system using a dual-tank method with stainless steel and light water (輕水) was applied to ensure safety. Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered ships do not require equipment such as engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to build a maritime nuclear demonstration facility at the Future Technology Test Center located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety designs.

Meanwhile, since February last year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been conducting joint research with TerraPower, a U.S. 4th generation SMR developer, to develop related technologies. In December of the same year, it secured an order to manufacture the main equipment for TerraPower's sodium reactor being constructed in Wyoming, USA.