DNV examines the opportunities and challenges of nuclear technologies for shipping in a new white paper. The classification society sees nuclear energy as a possible building block of the maritime energy transition.
More and more maritime companies are looking into nuclear energy as a ship propulsion system. Only recently, the classification society Lloyd’s Register published a guideline on the use of nuclear energy. Now DNV is following suit.
The Norwegian-German classification society has published a white paper. This examines the opportunities, challenges and possible ways of integrating nuclear technologies into merchant shipping.
According to DNV, the pressure on the maritime industry to decarbonize continues to increase. This is bringing nuclear energy more into focus – as a potentially viable solution for both power generation and ship propulsion.
However, according to DNV, a lot of work is still needed to create a viable commercial nuclear shipping industry. This includes the development of an efficient and economical maritime fuel cycle, viable business models and a suitable regulatory framework.
The new white paper provides an overview of the current state of maritime nuclear propulsion, including insights into the entire fuel cycle. It also analyzes civilian maritime nuclear designs, technologies and systems – from reactors to infrastructure – and examines the regulatory environment and necessary development paths for all relevant players.
The white paper also examines the cost and business models of future nuclear propulsion systems in shipping, simulates various deployment scenarios and draws comparisons with conventional propulsion systems.
“For nuclear propulsion systems in shipping to become economically viable, the economic calculation must take the entire life cycle into account – from fuel supply and reactor maintenance to waste management,” explains Ole Christen Reitan, Senior Principal Researcher and lead author of the DNV white paper.
The full white paper is available for download here.
