Washington teams up with ABS to accelerate nuclear shipping

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has joined forces with classification society ABS to accelerate the development of commercial nuclear-powered shipping and floating power plants.

The agreement with DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy covers feasibility studies for floating reactors, dedicated nuclear shipping corridors and the ports, shipyards and industrial infrastructure required to build and support nuclear-powered vessels.

ABS will co-manage the Maritime Nuclear Applications Group, providing technical, regulatory and economic expertise, while coordinating related work through the US Maritime Administration’s Center for Maritime Innovation.

“Advanced nuclear technology is moving from concept to application, and the maritime industry needs to be ready for it,” said ABS chairman and CEO John McDonald.

The agreement builds on several years of nuclear research. In 2022, DOE contracted ABS to examine barriers to commercial nuclear propulsion, while the class society subsequently published the industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants.

As Splash reported in July, ABS approved in principle a South Korean 15,000 teu containership concept incorporating a molten salt reactor, following earlier approvals for floating nuclear power modules developed by HD Hyundai.

Last month, ABS backed a study examining the economics of a 174,000 cu m nuclear-powered LNG carrier. The vessel would cost approximately 2.5 times as much to build as a conventional LNG carrier, although researchers projected lower lifetime costs under certain carbon-pricing scenarios.

Significant obstacles remain, including regulatory acceptance, insurance, nuclear fuel arrangements and port access. The latest agreement establishes a framework for addressing these challenges rather than committing to vessel construction.

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