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ABS publishes first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power
Detailed study published at joint forum with the US government’s Idaho National Laboratory
The shipping industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants have been released by US-based class society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at a forum for nuclear industry leaders held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a US centre for nuclear energy research and development.
A detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modelled the design, operation and emissions of a floating nuclear power plant during the event at ABS’ Texas headquarters. The event also saw presentations on nuclear reactor technologies.
The shipping industry is beginning to rediscover the potential of using nuclear fuel, with new-generation reactors for ship propulsion, floating offshore power, port electrification and e-fuels production.
The renewed enthusiasm is partly linked to energy density (nuclear fuels typically have volumetric energy densities at least tens of thousands of times higher than chemical fuels) and recent advances in the size and technology of power plants.
New Generation 4 reactors which use gas, salt or lead-cooled, technology are different to the pressurised water reactors that were used in the ships of the cold war era.
In 2023, Marine Propulsion reported on class society RINA partnering with a UK firm, Newcleo, to work on the development of a lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) for naval propulsion would involve placing a mini reactor on vessels as a small nuclear battery producing a 30-MW electric output. Potentially this would only limit refuelling to once every 10-15 years.
Safety concerns and class requirements
While safety remains a concern around nuclear energy, ABS Senior Engineer Meg Dowling pointed out that nuclear waste is “one of the most highly managed and controlled materials on the planet,” with every single piece of waste is accounted for.
With the renewed interest in nuclear power in shipping, the ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications provides the first classification notation for nuclear power service assets such as floating nuclear power plants or nuclear-powered floating production, offloading and storage units.
These requirements allow designers to consider any type of reactor technology and propose a framework for nuclear regulators to collaborate with flag administrations and ABS for complete regulatory oversight and license.
ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki said “We demonstrated today that nuclear’s potential in the maritime domain is so much more than a reactor on a ship. Nuclear energy can link energy demands across the electric, industrial and shipping transportation sectors to optimise energy generation and use, maintain grid reliability and support decarbonisation of shipping and industry. Not to mention its vast potential for the production of clean fuels such as e-ammonia and e-hydrogen.”
ABS is also conducting research with the U.S. Department of Energy and multiple New Technology Qualification and Approval-in-Principle projects with the shipping industry.
The ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications are available to download here and the joint study is accessible here.
Readers wishing to delve further into the potential of nuclear power’s maritime application can listen to Riviera’s Managing Editor John Snyder in conversation with ABS Senior Vice President Patrick Ryan and Meg Dowling.
Riviera’s Maritime Decarbonization Conference, Americas will be held in Houston, Texas, 4 December 2024. Click here to register your interest in this industry-leading event.
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