25 July 2023 (Lloyd's List) - SHIPPING should not ignore the potential of nuclear propulsion to drastically improve ships’ operational efficiency while slashing their carbon emissions to zero, ABS chief Christopher Wiernicki says.
An ABS-commissioned study by Herbert Engineering modeled how two, lead-cooled, 30 MW fast reactors would impact the design, operations and emissions of a 14,000 teu boxship and suezmax tanker.
It found that the boxship would see its cargo capacity and operation speed increase, while the addition of four microreactors on the suezmax will reduce cargo capacity, but also raise operation speeds. Both vessels would only require refueling once in 25 years and would emit zero carbon.
“Our findings from this latest cutting-edge research underscore why the industry cannot afford to ignore the vast potential offered by nuclear propulsion both in terms of emissions reduction and operational efficiency,” Wiernicki said in a statement.
“A net-zero world is more easily realized through nuclear propulsion, and we are putting in place the foundations for that future today. Turning this into a practical reality will require significant public sector support and ABS is well placed to bring governments and industry together.”
ABS is currently working with the US Department of Energy to support the development of nuclear propulsion on commercial vessels.
The class society was awarded contracts by the DOE to examine barriers to the technology’s adoption, and to support research conducted by the University of Texas into thermal-electric integration of a nuclear propulsion system on commercial ships.
“Advanced or small modular reactors address many of the issues traditionally associated with nuclear for commercial maritime use, with enhanced safety and efficiency, reduced cost and waste and proliferation prevention,” Wiernicki said.
“Nevertheless, many questions need to be answered and it is critical that industry evaluate these technologies with a laser focus on safety.”
Meanwhile, shipbuilder Fincantieri and class society Rina have announced an agreement with nuclear technology company newcleo to carry out a feasibility study into nuclear energy's application for the shipping industry.
“The improvement of fuel efficiency and vessel design is already giving good results in reducing shipping footprint. But, in order to reach the targets fixed for this industry, we need alternative fuels with low carbon content from well to waste,” Rina chairmen and chief executive Ugo Salerno said in a statement.
“Nuclear will be one of the answers to these objectives. In addition, small modular reactors will be the most efficient solution to apply nuclear to shipping.”
Elsewhere in ABS, executive vice president and chief operating officer John McDonald was elected president by its board of directors.
He joined ABS in 1996 as a surveyor and became COO in 2021. He will resume that position in addition to becoming president and will join ABS’ board.
