Norwegian partners conduct study on viability of nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has collaborated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund and other key stakeholders in the Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping I (NuProShip I) project, which explores the viability of nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types.

The selected reactor types include the following:

• Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using TRISO fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.

• Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.

• Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types, TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today.

Alongside Vard, the NuProShip project is supported by prominent partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Authority, shipowner the Knutsen Group, and Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM. Vard’s primary contribution involved integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types and assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

NuProShip I, which concluded on December 31, 2024, will transition into the NuProShip II project, a two-year initiative to further refine solutions for nuclear propulsion in maritime applications. This second phase will expand the consortium to include insurance companies, which Vard said is a critical step for evaluating the business viability of nuclear technology in the shipping industry.

The NuProShip projects are funded by the Research Council of Norway.