Nuclear-Powered Commercial Ship Revival

[Marlin]

Nuclear-Powered Commercial Ship Revival

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/july/nuclear-powered-commercial-ship-revival

[Core Content]

A rendering of a 15,000 TEU-class small modular reactor–powered containership unveiled by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.

Shipbuilders in China, South Korea, and Norway are developing nuclear-powered commercial vessel designs to meet global decarbonization goals. These projects utilize molten salt and thorium reactor technologies, prompting the International Maritime Organization to revise safety codes for nuclear merchant ships. Widespread adoption remains contingent on overcoming high construction costs, complex regulatory frameworks, and the need for specialized training for maritime personnel.

A renewed interest in nuclear-powered commercial ships has emerged as the global shipping industry grapples with decarbonization and the challenges of shifting to alternative fuels.

Ship classification societies, shipbuilders, ship owners, marine technologists, and the International Maritime Organization have been proactive in the development and promotion of nuclear power for commercial ships. In 2023, the Chinese state–owned Jiagnan Shipyard announced plans to build a nuclear-powered "ultra-large" container ship capable of carrying 25,000 standard containers. The next year, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and China National Nuclear Corporation jointly unveiled a...

Read the full article at usni.org:
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/july/nuclear-powered-commercial-ship-revival