Vard Explores Nuclear Propulsion for Maritime Shipping

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard is working with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Ålesund and other key stakeholders on a project to investigate nuclear propulsion for the shipping industry.

The initiative, named NuProShip (short for Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping), aims to evaluate the potential of fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for use in commercial vessels.

Following an assessment of 99 companies developing advanced nuclear reactors, Vard and its collaborators have identified three promising technologies to focus on: Kairos Power and Ultrasafe, both from the US, and Sweden's Blykalla.

The project is supported by DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, shipowner Knutsen Tankers, and Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM. Vard’s role includes examining how to integrate these reactor systems into various ship designs and addressing technical challenges to pave the way for future commercial nuclear-powered ships.

The initiative is funded by the Research Council of Norway and represents a significant step toward evaluating nuclear energy as a viable and sustainable option for maritime propulsion.