South Korea has taken a significant step toward the future of zero-emission shipping, with Samsung Heavy Industries and its research partners securing Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a nuclear-powered containership concept using molten salt reactor technology.
The project is being jointly developed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO), and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). The concept envisions a 15,000 TEU container vessel powered by two Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) utilizing advanced molten salt reactor (MSR) technology.
The AiP from ABS confirms the technical feasibility and safety of the proposed design, marking an important milestone in the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial vessels.
Unlike conventional nuclear reactors, molten salt reactors combine nuclear fuel with molten salt, providing an inherent safety advantage. In the event of a system failure, the molten salt solidifies, encapsulating the nuclear material and significantly reducing the risk of radioactive release.
KAERI led the development of the marine molten salt reactor technology, while collaborating with Samsung Heavy Industries on the vessel’s hull design, reactor arrangement, major onboard systems, and integrated power operation and control technologies.
The innovative design incorporates two independent SMRs, providing operational redundancy and enhanced reliability. The vessel also features an advanced power management system capable of optimizing reactor output based on the ship’s operational requirements. An integrated energy storage system is included to supply reserve power whenever necessary.
Engineers have optimized the vessel’s hull and internal layout to improve operational efficiency and safety. The reactors are positioned centrally within the hull to minimize wave-induced motion and reduce potential risks from collisions. The design targets a service speed of 25 knots and is fully compatible with the Panama Canal’s Neopanamax locks, enabling global trading capability.
The nuclear propulsion system also offers significant space and efficiency benefits by eliminating the need for conventional fuel tanks and exhaust funnels, allowing greater flexibility in cargo capacity and vessel layout. Special attention has been given to crew accommodation, with radiation shielding integrated into the design while maintaining optimal visibility from the navigation bridge.
Following its technical review, ABS concluded that the concept meets the required standards for feasibility and safety, granting the project Approval in Principle.
The project partners said the AiP represents a significant validation of the potential for marine nuclear technology and reinforces growing industry interest in advanced nuclear propulsion as a long-term solution for achieving zero-carbon shipping.
