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Maersk explores nuclear ship propulsion

19/08/2024, 13:40

Illustration: A.P. Møller - Mærsk

Maersk, along with LR and Core Power, will research developing a containership utilizing a new type of compact nuclear reactor. These small modular reactors produce less energy than large land-based nuclear plants but also consume less nuclear fuel relative to their output. The idea is for these miniaturized reactors to be mass-produced for marine propulsion.

While Maersk has already launched methanol-fueled container ships, the shipping giant is now exploring the possibility of expanding its fleet with nuclear-powered vessels. The technology is not yet ready, but atomic container ships could potentially become a reality in 10-15 years.

“There are still many issues associated with nuclear power, such as safety, waste handling, and diverse regulations across countries. So far, the downsides have outweighed the benefits,” says Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Technology at Maersk.

“If we can solve these problems with new so-called fourth-generation nuclear reactors, atomic power could potentially become a way to make the transportation industry more environmentally friendly in 10-15 years,” he continues.

While not dismissing the challenges, Maersk sees enough potential in new nuclear technologies to warrant investigating the feasibility of nuclear vessel propulsion as part of its decarbonization efforts.

The translation was written by an AI system, though the original text was authored by a human. Read the original article here