Allseas, together with TU Delft, has launched an ambitious plan to design, develop and deploy a small modular reactor (SMR) tailored for integration into offshore vessels and for onshore use. Allseas wants to start production by 2030.
Allseas has set out a clear five-year roadmap. In the first year, the company will finalise initial design studies for offshore and onshore use. This will be followed by prototype development and pre-licensing discussions in consultation with key stakeholders, including:
- Regulators such as the Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
- Safety and classification bodies including Lloyd’s Register, and in close collaboration with the company’s research and innovation partners including TNO, NRG PALLAS, TU Delft, and KVNR.
‘Our goal is to start production at a dedicated facility by 2030,’ says Stephanie Heerema, Project Manager Nuclear Developments at Allseas. ‘Initial deployment will likely begin on land while offshore regulations are finalised, followed by application on our own vessels and broader industry adoption. This aligns with our own sustainability targets – thirty per cent emissions reduction by 2030, and net-zero operations by 2050.’
Also read: Allseas partners with Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization
Clean, high-performance energy systems
Building on forty years of engineering expertise in the offshore energy industry, this move into nuclear marks the next bold step – delivering clean, high-performance energy systems to sea and shore.
The maritime sector has a three per cent contribution to global CO2 emissions. Alternative fuels like hydrogen, methanol and ammonia currently face limitations in availability, scalability and cost – particularly for remote, energy-intensive operations. Nuclear offers unmatched energy density, combining zero emissions with stable, scalable power supply.
Onshore, industrial clusters face high energy costs, grid congestion and volatile renewable supply. SMRs can ease grid pressure while providing consistent, carbon-free power and heat – accelerating decarbonisation and boosting industrial resilience and long-term competitiveness.
High-temperature gas-cooled reactors
Allseas has selected high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) in the 25 MWe range, due to their inherently safe characteristics. This fourth-generation reactor technology generates energy without combustion or emissions.
HTGRs are powered by TRISO fuel particles, each representing a sphere with the size of a poppyseed. Each particle contains a uranium oxide core, coated with several advanced protective ceramic layers that securely contain fission products – even under extreme conditions. The technology results in passive safety: the reactor self-regulates and remains stable, keeping temperatures well below critical thresholds. In the unlikely event of malfunction, the system automatically cools down and shuts off without the need for active intervention or external cooling.
‘NRG PALLAS has been involved in safety demonstration of pebble fuel containing TRISO. This has been successfully demonstrated for several clients in our High Flux Reactor in Petten. TRISO fuel has proven in several countries to be robust and safe under various conditions,’ states Frederic Blom, Manager Nuclear Compliance and Projects at NRG PALLAS, a prominent Dutch nuclear authority and research institute specialising in nuclear energy solutions and medical isotopes.
Circular approach
Responsible waste management is central to Allseas’ long-term plan. Hence, Allseas is exploring circular approaches, such as the reuse of graphite and reprocessing of spent TRISO fuel, to further reduce environmental impact, ensuring waste management remains a key consideration throughout the SMR lifecycle.
‘Delft University of Technology has been working on an inherently safe microreactor based on HTR technology for more than ten years. We are therefore delighted to contribute to a practical application of this technology,’ explains Jan Leen Kloosterman, Professor of Nuclear Reactor Physics and Department Head Radiation Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology.
Mark Tipping, Global Power to X Director at Lloyd’s Register adds: ‘Nuclear provides a true zero carbon solution for maritime without compromising on performance. Lloyd’s Register is seeing a growing recognition of this in industry and is proud to support Allseas in this groundbreaking project.’
Also read: Allseas’ 26,000-tonne barge is taking shape
Strategic impact for Europe and the Netherlands
Annet Koster, Managing Director, Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR): ‘Pioneering this technology offers the Netherlands – as a seafaring nation – the opportunity to develop an innovative global export product and become a leader in net zero shipping. It also contributes to Europe’s broader goals of enhancing energy security, boosting industrial competitiveness, and building strategic autonomy.’
‘Nuclear is the next frontier, and Allseas is leading the way to deliver safe, clean and reliable offshore and onshore energy,’ concludes Heerema. ‘As pioneers of offshore innovation with a can‑do mentality, from single‑lift platform removal to dynamically positioned pipelay, we have a proven track record of turning groundbreaking concepts into reality.’
Pictures by Allseas.
Also read: Allseas expands fleet with two offshore construction vessels
