Ships and submarines propelled by nuclear power isn’t new but it has never really taken off in commercial shipping – but could we soon see nuclear-powered container vessels on the Mersey? Tony McDonough reports
While the transition from petrol to electric cars is one of the more straightforward aspects of net zero, decarbonising other forms of transport remains problematic.
Battery size is still a major barrier to propelling ships and commercial aircraft. So both the maritime and aviation sectors are experimenting with various ‘alternative’ fuels to replace fossil fuels. But none are perfect.
At an event in Liverpool in November organised by Mersey Maritime, engineer and shipping fuel expert Dr Thomas Beard talked of the cost and complexity of decarbonising global shipping.
“At the moment all these alternative fuels cost a lot more so we are going to have to start taxing or introducing regulation that will drive the cost of fossil fuels high enough that they will have to use alternative fuels,” he said.
Anyone who spends any time near the River Mersey will be treated to the regular sight of giant container ships calling at the Liverpool2 container terminal at the Port of Liverpool. They are bringing in goods from all over the world on a daily basis.
Container ships are propelled thousands of miles by heavy and dirty marine diesel. Not only does it contribute to global warming by emitting tonnes of CO2 but it also creates a major public health hazard while in port by belching out noxious fumes.
However, there is another alternative that is zero-emission and statistically very safe – but also has an image problem. The world’s first nuclear-powered merchant vessel, NS Savannah, was launched in 1959.
However, since then nuclear reactors on commercial ships have not taken off. To this point they have mainly been used to power military vessels such as submarines or aircraft carriers.
Now a South Korean shipbuilder HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) is looking to change the conversation and persuade the global maritime industry that nuclear is the path to a carbon-free future.
At the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit, held at the Asia Society Texas Center in the US, HD KSOE unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model utilising a small modular reactor (SMR).
This vessel would be able to carry 15,000 shipping containers. Nuclear-powered vessels eliminate the need for engine exhaust systems and fuel tanks. This frees up space for more containers and adds to its economic efficiency.
According to a report in World Cargo News, HD KSOE plans to establish a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety designs.
It is working with US energy tech firm Baker Hughes to incorporate a supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system. This will improve thermal efficiency by around 5% compared to traditional steam-based propulsion systems.
HD KSOE plans to establish a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety designs.
“Nuclear-powered vessels can be a game-changer in the current shipbuilding market, where carbon neutrality is emerging,” said Patrick Ryan, chief technology officer of nuclear power generation specialist ABS.
“ABS and HD KSOE will contribute to accelerating the commercialisation of marine nuclear technology in the global shipbuilding market.”
How a reactor can drive a ship is fairly straightforward. The reactor heats water to create steam which then turns a turbine. This turbine then turns a propeller or an electric generator and motor. Nuclear-powered ships can sail for years without the need to refuel.
However, nuclear power still has an image problem. Many people immediately think of meltdowns such as Three Mile Island, Fukushima and, of course, Chernobyl. But fears are exaggerated. These incidents actually caused very little loss of life.
Nuclear technology has advanced to the point where it is shown to be incredibly safe. Disposal of waste is also a concern but in terms of actual volumes, nuclear waste does not pose a difficult challenge.
As the pressure to decarbonise intensifies, nuclear is becoming more attractive to Governments. Here in the UK Rolls Royce is working on a new generation of SMRs for domestic power generation.
Question is how will people living in port locations such as Liverpool city region feel about sharing their rivers and estuaries with floating nuclear reactors?
Park Sangmin, who is heading up the container ship project, added: “HD KSOE is strengthening cooperation not only with major classification societies but also with international regulatory bodies to establish international regulations necessary for the commercialisation of nuclear-powered vessels.
“Starting with the land-based SMR reactor manufacturing project, we aim to develop a marine nuclear business model by 2030.”