ThisAmerican Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has in-principle approved (AIP) to integrate the nuclear reactor into a cargo ship propulsion system developed by MIT (MIT), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Company (HD KSOE), and Capital Maritime Group.
This design uses special synthetic fluids to remove heat from the reactor core. Current designs typically focus on micro heat outputs of 10 to 20 megawatts. MIT’s design allows for thinner and lighter reactor vessels at operating pressures close to atmospheric pressure, supporting modular construction and more convenient transportation.
This is the first AIP certificate issued by the MIT Maritime Alliance, whose founding members include the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), HD KSOE, and Capital Maritime Group. The American Bureau of Shipping reviewed the interface between the reactor and machinery according to the society’s requirements.
The alliance brings together academia and industry to advance technologies that have the potential to reshape the maritime sector, including alternative fuels, new nuclear technologies, data-driven operational strategies, autonomy, cybersecurity, and onboard manufacturing.
“As the industry assesses new development paths for the future, this principled approval highlights the importance of collaborating with key stakeholders to advance promising commercial nuclear technologies. MIT’s reactor design is a remarkable technology. These emerging technologies support modular manufacturing and ship integration, representing a possible path to safely and practically develop next-generation commercial shipping solutions,” said Patrick Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the American Bureau of Shipping.
“As global environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, the maritime industry urgently needs transformative solutions. Nuclear energy is one of the most promising alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. Through successful collaborations with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), MIT, and Capital Maritime Group, we are proud to showcase our leadership in the eco-friendly ship market and launch safe, innovative nuclear-powered ship solutions. ” said Park Sang-min, Senior Vice President of HD KSOE and Head of the Green Energy Research Laboratory.
“As industry professionals, we have a responsibility to explore every potential solution, including those that challenge conventional thinking. Nuclear propulsion is such a cutting-edge field. By joining the MIT Maritime Alliance together with ABS and HD KSOE, we are committed to ensuring that any path to net zero is built on uncompromising standards of crew safety, ship integrity, and environmental protection. This Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) is the first step in this process,” said Stergios Stergiou, Chief Sustainability Officer of Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp.
“MIT Maritime Alliance is a unique collaborative platform between academia and key industry stakeholders, aiming to address key gaps in the modernization process of commercial fleets by developing bold technological solutions, industry standards, and policies. Our reactor design is one of the first concrete outcomes of this collaborative collaboration, providing a practical pathway for nuclear-powered propulsion of commercial vessels,” said Themis Sapsis, MIT Koch Professor of Marine Technology and Co-Director of the Maritime Alliance.