South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HD HSHI) have signed a joint development project (JDP) with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the “Conceptual Design of a Nuclear-Powered Electric Propulsion System”. The agreement was signed at Hyundai’s Global R&D Center in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
The conceptual design is for a 16,000-TEU container ship powered by nuclear-linked electric propulsion. TEU (a Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a standardised, non-physical unit of measurement in maritime logistics used to calculate cargo volume, ship capacity, and port traffic, The companies aim to explore whether nuclear energy can provide a reliable and efficient power source for long-distance maritime transport.
Conventional large container ships occupy significant internal space with engines, exhaust systems, and large fuel tanks. Nuclear-powered ships eliminate the need for this equipment, allowing more containers to be loaded in that space. The structure is designed to increase economic efficiency as cargo capacity grows.
However, a key challenge is establishing globally applicable standards. Current nuclear safety regulations target reactors installed on land. There are no established regulations for ships traveling through the waters of multiple countries. This is why HD Hyundai, in collaboration with the internationally authoritative ABS, is working to establish various standards through joint development.
The project focuses on several engineering areas needed for a nuclear-powered vessel, including the basic design of electric propulsion systems linked to nuclear energy, the selection of electrical equipment, and the layout of major onboard power systems.
The concept involves using small modular reactor (SMR) technology as the ship’s main energy source. ABS and Hyundai engineers will examine how such reactors could support the high energy demand of container ships traveling long ocean routes at high speeds. The concept could develop a new propulsion system that eliminates the need for conventional fossil-fuel engines.
HD Hyundai plans to design a specialised power management system tailored for large container ships using nuclear-linked electric propulsion. Such ships require steady energy supplies to maintain high cruising speeds while powering numerous onboard systems. The concept includes a twin-screw propeller configuration in which two propellers operate simultaneously, improving thrust and manoeuvrability for massive cargo vessels navigating ports and narrow channels.
A direct-drive propulsion method connects the electric motor directly to the propeller. This reduces mechanical energy losses that normally occur during power transmission. Engineers believe the system could improve overall efficiency while reducing energy waste during operation.
The design may also allow more refrigerated containers (reefer units), to be carried onboard. These transport frozen and chilled goods and need substantial electrical power to maintain the required temperatures. Safety remains a critical issue when considering nuclear technology for commercial shipping. The development effort includes strengthened safety standards built directly into the ship design.
Engineers plan to develop systems capable of maintaining safe operations even during extreme conditions such as collisions or flooding. Power systems will also be designed to comply with global regulations issued by the International Maritime Organisation and nuclear safety guidelines issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“This collaboration is a very important project to verify the applicability of nuclear-powered electric propulsion systems to large container ships,” stated Matthew Muller, ABS Commercial Director for Far East Asia. “By combining HD Hyundai’s excellent shipbuilding technology and ABS’s engineering expertise in maritime safety, we will comprehensively verify the safety, efficiency, and eco-friendliness of next-generation propulsion solutions.”
Shim Hak-moo, Head of the Design Division at HD Hyundai Samho said nuclear-linked electric propulsion vessels represent a highly groundbreaking and advanced technology for achieving net zero. “In the fierce competition to gain a foothold in the eco-friendly ship market, this could become a powerful weapon for HD Hyundai,” he said.
“By combining HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding expertise with ABS’ deep engineering experience in maritime safety, we aim to evaluate technologies that can support safer, more efficient and lower-emission operations for the next generation of propulsion solutions,” said Matthew Mueller, ABS Vice President, North Pacific Business Development.
Kwon Byung-hun, Head of the Electrification Centre at HD KSOE, noted: “In response to the growing demand for eco-friendly ships, we are continuously pursuing the development of electric propulsion systems using nuclear energy – a carbon-free energy source. We will expand our R&D efforts to strengthen our technological competitiveness in nuclear-linked electric propulsion.”
The shipping industry consumes about 350 million tonnes of fossil fuel annually and accounts for about 3% of total worldwide carbon emissions. In July 2024, the shipping industry, via the IMO, approved new targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by or around 2050.
