Harnessing the Nuclear Propulsion Potential
While the likelihood of nuclear-powered vessels cruising our oceans may be at least a decade away, it promises to be a viable road towards a cleaner shipping industry, professionals suggest. The shipping world contributes approximately 3% to global CO2 emissions and exploring efficient and eco-friendly fuel alternatives, like ammonia, methanol, and wind, has become an urgent task. Even nuclear energy, previously applied to power military submarines and icebreakers, is gaining traction.
Yet, adopting nuclear power for merchant ships has primarily been impeded by its costly nature and insurance concerns linked to an insufficient comprehension of associated risks in the commercial ports’ context.
Growing Interest in Nuclear-Powered Commercial Ships
According to the International Chamber of Shipping Association’s May survey, interest in nuclear fuel has significantly grown, with consensus viewing nuclear-powered commercial vessels as a feasible reality in the forthcoming decade. Small, mass-producible reactors meant to be installed on ships could offer a less daunting compromise as they are less potent and consume less nuclear fuel compared to traditional nuclear sites.
Italy-based shipbuilder, Fincantieri, reported, “The progresses in the fourth modular nuclear reactors generation are laying the groundwork for potential future applications on ships.”
The Expected Path to Nuclear-powered Ship Production
Not all industry participants are just observing. Fincantieri displays an active interest in tracking these innovative technologies, which are believed to make significant contributions towards decarbonizing the core business components, namely, cruise liners, naval ships, and specialized vessels.
RINA, an Italian top-ranker in ship certification, is actively studying nuclear fuel use and is involved in a feasibility study alongside Fincantieri and a nuclear technology firm. RINA’s CEO, Ugo Salerno, highlighted container ships as potential beneficiaries of nuclear propulsion, adding a seven to ten-year timeline for production feasibility.
Risks and Challenges Associated with Nuclear Propulsion
Issues around the installation of small reactors on a ship, potential radiation exposure, and safety measures needed while the ship is in transit or concerning the vessel’s ownership at sea are some risks that need addressing.
However, these aren’t stopping firms such as CORE POWER from developing prototypes for advanced molten salt nuclear reactors that utilize liquid fuel rather than solid. These types of fission reactors mix fuel and coolant in a high-temperature fuel salt, consequently eliminating the conventional reactors’ risk of coolant loss, which could overheat the core.
Way Forward: Embracing Nuclear for a Green Transition
Mikal Boe, CORE POWER’s CEO, envisages a timeline of 2032-2035 for demonstrating the first prototype, stating, “If we’re serious about a clean, green transition, nuclear has to be factored in.” Thus, while the nuclear shipping revolution’s dawn may be years ahead and involves a steep public opinion ‘mountain’ to climb, such a climb seems inescapable given the urgency of mitigating environmental damage caused by shipping emissions.
