Norwegians assess nuclear options
The project assessed various advanced reactor technologies
(Source: Vard)
A Norwegian-led partnership, NuProShip, is examining the scope for nuclear propulsion in shipping. Funded by the Research Council of Norway, the project is being supported by the Norwegian subsidiary of Fincantieri, Vard, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, Knutsen Tankers, and Spanish nuclear consultancy, Idom.
The first stage of NuProShip, an abbreviation for ‘Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping’, closed at the end of December. This assessed advanced nuclear reactor technologies developed by 99 different companies and selected three types for further research. Two companies are based in the United States – Kairos Power and Ultrasafe, and one in Sweden, Blykalla.
The Kairos technology is based on a fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor; the Ultrasafe system uses a helium-cooled gas reactor; and the Blykall setup is based on a lead-cooled reactor using uraniun oxide as fuel.
The second stage of the project will involve other relevant stakeholders including insurance companies.
