South Korea's HD Hyundai considers nuclear propulsion – Telegraph UK
“We’re looking at putting nuclear in a ship for a zero-carbon shipping future,” chief executive Kee-sun Chung of South Korea’s HD Hyundai tells The Telegraph.
PHOTO: A 3D concept of a nuclear-powered vessel. C-Job Naval Architects
The shipping industry is becoming increasingly interested in nuclear power, not only as a renewable resource for producing zero-carbon-emission fuel but also as a potential power source for vessels.
According to UK-based news portal The Telegraph, South Korean conglomerate HD Hyundai is considering building nuclear cargo ships to end its dependence on heavy fuel oil and to comply with green regulations that will come into effect in 2025.
The Telegraph reports that HD Hyundai “appreciates the pros and cons of implementing nuclear power in the marine sector” and advocates nuclear propulsion “in a measured manner while recognizing the value of zero-carbon emissions” quoting a company spokesperson.
The report also quotes Mark Tipping, Global Offshore P2X Segment Leader at the shipping classification society Lloyd’s Register, as saying that “we are likely to see the first applications of commercial nuclear propulsion this decade,” as many companies are studying nuclear in marine for both shipping and offshore purposes.
In the offshore space related to the maritime sector, Seaborg Technologies is building a floating nuclear power plant, using a compact molten salt reactor, which will be designed by the South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries. This floating nuclear power plant will function as an energy source for producing green hydrogen and green ammonia, a portion of which will be earmarked as bunker fuel. CORE Power, a marine engineering firm based in the UK, is also involved in promoting nuclear power as a power source for marine applications.
By Konica Bhatt
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