- Norway secures $2 million in funding to advance nuclear maritime vessel program.
- The plan includes testing the nuclear propulsion system at a land-based facility, expected to begin in 2027.
- The Gem micro-reactor design aims to prevent radioactive release and offers high power output.
- Island Offshore plans to deploy the system for maritime operations between 2031 and 2032.
A nuclear propulsion initiative for maritime vessels in Norway has taken a significant step forward, having secured new national funding to build and test atomic engines for commercial ships. The Norwegian Research Council has allocated $2 million to the Marine Nuclear Propulsion System (MarNuPS) project. The alliance plans to develop and deploy small modular nuclear reactors designed to replace fossil fuels in maritime shipping, providing high power output and long-range operational capability, thus avoiding frequent refueling stops.
Land-Based Testing Facility Plans
Engineers will not place active nuclear materials directly on the water; instead, they plan to establish a comprehensive land-based testing facility near Stette, close to Ålesund, with testing expected to begin in 2027. The Stette facility will operate a full-sized replica of a ship propulsion system, using electricity instead of nuclear fuel to heat the system in order to assess safety and performance without generating radiation risks. "The tests will cover normal operations, rapid changes in power demand, transient and pressure conditions, system performance, and crew interactions," the company explained.
The company explained.
The system will utilize the Gem micro-reactor, a 5 megawatt unit developed by Emerald Nuclear. This design employs TRISO fuel particles, which encapsulate enriched uranium in multiple layers of ceramic and carbon. "The MarNuPS pilot will integrate Emerald Nuclear's 5 MWe Gem micro-reactor technology with energy storage, power conversion, ship power management, automation, and bridge control systems." The company noted that this structure can withstand extreme high temperatures without melting, thereby preventing radioactive release associated with older reactor technologies.
The reactor will convert thermal energy into electrical energy through a specialized power conversion system provided by Peregrine Turbine Technologies.
Future Maritime Operations Plans
According to current plans, the reactor will operate within a sealed unit, replaced every 5 to 15 years, thus avoiding complex refueling procedures in ports. Norwegian shipowner Island Offshore plans to be the first operator to deploy the system at sea. The company intends to install an operational Gem reactor on an offshore service vessel between 2031 and 2032, paving the way for commercial atomic transport across the North Sea. "Nuclear energy has the potential to provide a new decarbonization pathway for maritime vessels without compromising the power, endurance, and operational flexibility these vessels require,"
said Tommy Walaunet, CEO of Island Offshore. "Our role is to ensure that the system is developed around actual maritime operations and the people who will ultimately use it."
This industrial alliance is led by Emerald Nuclear Norway and collaborates with several prominent European maritime and engineering organizations. Shipbuilder VARD Group will be responsible for ship design and naval architecture, while Vard Electro will handle power distribution and control networks. Academic partners are conducting foundational simulations, with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) responsible for simulating reactor physics and thermohydraulics, and Imperial College London examining structural integrity under dynamic marine conditions. Engineering firm Maskindynamikk will oversee condition monitoring and system diagnostics.
Partners have committed substantial private capital, along with national funding, with an estimated budget of $15.6 million for the initial development phase.
Potential Impact of Nuclear Propulsion on Shipping
Norway's nuclear propulsion initiative represents a significant advancement toward decarbonization in the maritime shipping industry. As global demand for reduced carbon emissions increases, nuclear energy, as an efficient and sustainable energy option, will help meet the power needs of maritime vessels. By developing small modular reactors, this technology not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels but also enhances operational efficiency in shipping. With the establishment of testing facilities and future practical operations, the success of this technology could have far-reaching implications for the global shipping industry.