Maritime Nuclear Propulsion: Advancing Knowledge and Innovation
We successfully hosted our annual seminar on maritime nuclear propulsion for the fourth consecutive year. Once again, we brought together key experts from across the maritime nuclear value chain to explore the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this transformative field.
The maritime cluster continues to lead innovation in maritime nuclear propulsion, with research projects that have gained international attention. The NUPROSHIP Project, led by NTNU and Jan Emblemsvåg, recently secured new funding to further explore the commercialization of nuclear propulsion. At the same time, several international projects are gaining traction. New reactor designs are moving into testing stages, and in the coming years, we expect to see significant advancements in the field.
While many steps remain before nuclear propulsion becomes a reality for commercial shipping, staying ahead of these developments is crucial. This technology has the potential to be a game changer in the green transition, offering a viable alternative for sustainable maritime operations.
Seminar Highlights:
- Regulatory Landscape: Insights from DNV, NEMO(Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization) , and Lloyd's Register on what it will take to realize nuclear propulsion.
- Research Projects: Updates from NTNU and IFE (Institute for E on the latest advancements and new initiatives shaping the future of maritime nuclear propulsion.
- Technology Vendors: Presentations from Siemens Energy and Emerald Nuclear on key technologies supporting nuclear-powered maritime applications.
It is evident that many obstacles remain before nuclear propulsion becomes commercially viable at scale. At the same time, the discussions throughout the day made it clear that development is now gaining real momentum.
In our first seminar in 2022, we outlined a long list of challenges. Now, as we approach 2025, that list is still substantial; however, we can now start to see clear plans to tackle these challenges, whether they are technological or regulatory. Jan Emblemsvåg’s prediction indicates that commercial nuclear-powered ships could become a reality by 2035.
Finally, it is fascinating to observe how the maritime cluster is taking a central role in this development and the growing international attention surrounding maritime nuclear projects in the region.