DNV has awarded HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) an approval in principle (AiP) for a new 15,000 TEU container vessel design powered by small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The AiP was awarded at the KORMARINE tradefair this week.
The presentation was attended by Sungkon Han, Executive Vice President of the Green Energy Research Lab at HD KSOE, Geir Dugstad, Technical Director at DNV, and Ole Christen Reistad, Senior Principal Researcher and nuclear research lead at DNV, who discussed the outcome of the project and the potential for nuclear-powered shipping at DNV’s Busan offices.
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CO2-based power generation
The design demonstrates the application of SMR technology in a 15,000 TEU container vessel, capable of operating at 24 knots. The vessel concept incorporates a supercritical CO2-based power generation system, which can provide higher thermal efficiency and a reduced equipment footprint compared to conventional steam-based systems.
DNV has reviewed the conceptual design of the nuclear-powered ship in line with the relevant rules and regulations and the safety levels as outlined in SOLAS Ch. VIII and the IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships.
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Shielding and containment system
Dr. Kwangpil Chang, CTO of HD KSOE: ‘This SMR-powered container vessel concept represents a key milestone in our efforts to explore alternative fuels for decarbonising shipping. The design focuses intensely on the safety of the vessel and advancing the propulsion system in the application of SMR technology. In addition, we have developed a novel shielding and containment system, which is designed to maintain reactor safety and vessel survivability even in the event of collisions, groundings, or sinking accidents.’
During the development of the ship design concept, the DNV team worked closely with HD KSOE to assess the vessel’s overall safety and the design of the advanced power generation system. This review includes the vessel’s main functions, power supply and overall approach to safety. In May 2025, HD KSOE and DNV also conducted a HAZID (Hazard Identification) workshop at DNV’s headquarters in Oslo to identify potential risks and accident scenarios for nuclear-powered vessels and to guide improvements in the design.
‘Shifting environmental requirements and advances in technology are reigniting interest in nuclear propulsion as a potential solution for maritime decarbonisation,’ says Geir Dugstad, Technical Director at DNV. ‘But with little recent experience in utilising nuclear power for cargo vessels, this AiP represents an important first step in building the technical verification process for nuclear-powered vessels.’
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White paper
DNV recently released a new white paper on the potential of nuclear vessels for commercial shipping. It examines the reactor technologies, vessel construction and operation, fuel management, waste handling, and the oversight of nuclear supply chains.
Picture: A rendering of a 15,000 TEU-class SMR-powered containership (image by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering).
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