ABS approves nuclear propulsion for 15,000-TEU vessel
The US classification society, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has granted an ‘Approval in Principle’ for a 15,000 TEU nuclear-powered ship design from South Korea
ABS has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to a nuclear-powered 15,000 TEU container ship concept developed with the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The project marks a significant step in evaluating the technical feasibility of nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping.
The vessel concept combines a small modular reactor (SMR) with a molten salt reactor (MSR) specifically designed for maritime applications. According to ABS, nuclear energy could reshape commercial shipping by improving vessel range, energy efficiency, and ship design flexibility.
Under the collaboration, KRISO developed the ship design, KAERI created the MSR concept, and ABS conducted the AiP review. The project builds on broader cooperation between ABS and Korean partners, including a 2025 memorandum of understanding focused on nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power platforms.
KRISO President Keyyong Hong described SMR-powered vessels as a key future technology for maintaining the shipping industry’s competitiveness. He emphasized the importance of developing maritime-specific design capabilities and strengthening international cooperation to advance standards and deployment.
KAERI Senior Vice President Jinyoung Cho said future work will focus on optimizing the integration of the reactor system with vessel operations, adapting designs to maritime conditions, and accelerating testing and demonstration projects to support the commercialization of nuclear-powered ships.
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