Page 160 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Feature

Not all ships are suitable for nuclear
power. Large ocean-going container-
ships, tankers, bulk and gas carriers
are potential candidates due to the
increased demand for bunkers, emis-
sions reduction, and bunkering opera-
tions requirements. Furthermore, char-
tered ships with long-term contracts,
sailing between fixed locations and car-
rying specific cargoes, are also suitable
at least for the initial period of adoption,
due to the long period of port notice
requirements.

Could nuclear propulsion be combined
with other technologies for hybrid
solutions?
New era nuclear-powered ships need
to be thought within the “all-electric”
concept, where all the operations are
electrified. Then, nuclear power is not
restricted to the traditional direct steam
cycle for propulsion, but rather a plug-
and-play electric system, such as fuel
cells, batteries, or renewables, which
connects to the main switchboard for
electric power distribution to consumers
onboard. The advantage of this is that
the ample propulsion power onboard
large ships can also be utilised for oper-
ations at the terminal or the anchorage.
A dedicated hull design needs to be Are there concerns regarding radioac-
developed with economy and payload tive waste management at sea? What are your thoughts on floating
in mind, allowing for the concentrated Licensing a nuclear reactor by an IAEA nuclear power plants (FNPPs) as a
weight of the reactor, the access for member state requires that the reac- potential shore power solution for
reactor refuelling (if required), and fis- tor operator have an approved nuclear energy-intensive ports or shipyards?
sion products removal (if required). waste management plan, ensuring FNPPs already exist (Russian Akademik
Whatever the operation, it will have to be secure waste storage onboard and Lomonosov, two modified KLT-40S ice-
performed by specialists, not crew mem- a contract with an off-taker. I am breaker-type nuclear reactors, produc-
bers (as is the case with normal bunker- not aware of any national regulatory ing 35x2 MWe) and have been operating
ing), and it must take place at a certified/ authority that accepts third-party successfully since 2019.
licensed facility. I don’t believe crews can waste for permanent storage, except FNPPs provide an integrated, reliable,
be trained to run nuclear reactors. They for the Russian Federation’s units. Fur- sustainable, and dispatchable power
may undertake only the operation and thermore, spent fuel and fission prod- generation with true zero emissions to
maintenance of the heat energy trans- ucts from fast reactors increase the impact the decarbonisation of remotely
ferred through a series of heat exchang- risk of proliferation concerns for use dispersed consumers. They offer modu-
ers to a CCGT or other heat-to-electric in nuclear weaponry. Security is much larity and scalability and may be used to
converters. harder to ensure on board a ship, espe- familiarise society with safety and envi-
Crew lists will need to be “enriched” with cially in view of today’s geopolitical pre- ronmental issues. The FNPP platform is a
“nuclear scientists” on board who will dicament. necessary prelude and intermediate step
handle the operation of the reactor; it is towards commercial nuclear shipping
not certain if this will be included in the What types of ships or operational pro- that will facilitate the resolution of the
STCW someday. The general crew ought files (e.g., tankers, LNG carriers, regulatory and licensing framework gap
to attend basic radioprotection courses bulkers, container ships) would you and the coupling of the IMO and the
and participate in regular and emergency consider most suitable for nuclear IAEA. Proliferation concerns are better
preparedness exercises on board. propulsion in the first wave of tackled with a fixed-location infrastruc-
adoption? ture.

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