Queensland’s ship design group Seatransport and Houston-based Deployable Energy are collaborating with Lloyd’s Register (LR) to develop nuclear power generation for different applications, including strategic response vessels in remote areas.
Using micro modular reactor (MMR) technology, two to five MMRs of 1MWe capacity each will power a 73 m amphibious vessel, designed for emergency response and disaster relief duties in remote areas. This will enable the vessel to operate for eight to 10 years without refuelling, and it can feed power into the shore grid of affected areas and whenever docked at port.
Last month, LR along with insurer NorthStandard and London nuclear specialist CORE POWER issued a report calling for UK action on maritime nuclear power.
“As nuclear technology advances toward maritime applications including Floating Nuclear Power Plants, global regulatory alignment is crucial. Existing frameworks must be updated to reflect modern reactor designs and operational needs. The UK has the expertise to lead these efforts at the International Maritime Organization (and with the International Atomic Energy Agency, setting the foundation for safe, insurable, and scalable nuclear-powered shipping,” commented Andy McKeran, LR’s chief commercial officer.
