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Feature
Training engineers to become
nuclear reactor engineers
will not be possible
Stavros Hatzigrigoris analyses the benefits but also
the technical challenges of using nuclear energy
technologies in commercial shipping.
Can nuclear-powered ships help the will still require a lot of work to be done.
industry meet the IMO decarbon- Several types of small reactors are under
isation targets by 2050? What development in various countries that
are the pros and cons of nuclear offer enhanced safety, reduce the risk of
propulsion systems compared handling nuclear waste, and eliminate
to conventional ones? the possibility of utilising the reactor’s
The issues of air emissions and the 2050 nuclear fuel for military purposes.
zero-carbon target have been discussed On the other hand, most of the new
for the past decade or so. Nuclear power – zero-carbon fuels being discussed at
if we forget the fact that reactors may the IMO are creating the need for pro-
not be easily manoeuvrable when enter- viding the infrastructure, manufacturing,
ing or sailing from port and during stay transporting, and distributing the fuel
in port – is one of the very few technical in ports and onboard ships. That is not
solutions that can meet the zero-carbon the case with nuclear reactors since
Opinions expressed by emissions, even if the well-to-wake they enable ships to carry enough fuel
Stavros Hatzigrigoris, assessment is used. Nuclear propulsion for operating for the rest of their useful
Advanced Engineering Services
is “silently” supported by the US Admin- lives. Having said that, fuel traders and
istration and several US companies; yet, charterers may show no interest in get-
it has not been discussed in detail during ting involved with nuclear reactors and
any of the IMO meetings so far. It seems nuclear fuel. The entities that may be
likely that the new Trump rhetoric will involved in nuclear propulsion may be
contribute to changing the public sen- limited to countries that possess mines
timent in favour of nuclear propulsion. of nuclear substances, the providers
Having said this, the public’s “not in my of nuclear fuels, and the manufacturers
back yard” perception is something that of reactors. Needless to say, the total
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