ABS Grants AiP for 15,000 TEU Nuclear Container Ship

Approval in Principle Granted for Nuclear-Powered Boxship Concept

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) have secured Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a conceptual 15,000 TEU container ship design powered by molten salt reactor (MSR) technology. According to a report by Smart Maritime Network, also covered by gCaptain, the design was developed jointly with Samsung Heavy Industries as a demonstration of small modular reactor (SMR) feasibility for commercial shipping.

Design Features

The concept vessel would carry two MSR units for propulsion, paired with an energy storage system to smooth out fluctuations in electricity demand. Engineers designed a 25-knot hull optimised for the expanded Panama Canal, and positioned the reactor at the centre of the ship to lower the risk of damage from collisions or wave impacts.

Removing conventional fuel tanks and funnel structures is expected to free up additional cargo space, the partners said. The accommodation block has also been located to shield crew from radiation exposure while still meeting bridge visibility requirements.

Division of Work

KAERI developed the Marine Molten Salt Reactor, known as MARINA, while KRISO and Samsung Heavy Industries handled the hull design, machinery arrangement, and power operation and control systems.

Cho Jin-Young, Director of the Advanced Reactor Research Institute at KAERI, described the AiP as a significant step for the country’s K-Moonshot project, which aims to develop MSR-based SMR vessels. Translated from Korean, he said the effort combines nuclear technology with domestic shipbuilding strength to support development of a