The maritime use of nuclear energy is often associated with submarines and icebreakers. However, nuclear propulsion was also used commercially and for research purposes, but it never really took off at sea. The US government put the 182 metre long "NS Savannah" into service in 1962 as one of only four nuclear-powered cargo ships ever built. Until 1971, she sailed as a demonstration vehicle on freight and passenger routes, with very high operating costs, low commercial value and limited harbour access.
Nuclear power drive on German ship
From 1968 to 1978, the nuclear ship "Otto Hahn" travelled 650,000 nautical miles on behalf of the Gesellschaft für Kernenergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schifffahrt. However, the researchers were only allowed to call at a few harbours with the propulsion system consisting of slightly enriched uranium fuel, pressurised water reactor and steam turbine.
Feadship's membership of the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation (NEMO) initially expresses an interest in the technology. The London-based organisation already includes shipyards such as Vard, the Swiss technology group ABB and classification societies such as DNV and Lloyd's Register. NEMO regularly participates in the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is a valued dialogue partner in the debate on sustainable development and transparency in the nuclear sector and works with leading politicians, scientists and decision-makers from around the world to promote responsible environmental management and innovation.
Nuclear technology as a long-term option
With the increasing maturity of fourth-generation nuclear reactors, floating nuclear technology is gaining attention in the maritime industry. Potential applications from the mid-2030s include floating power plants for the production of synthetic fuels such as methanol and zero-emission propulsion systems for the world's largest ships. According to Feadship, it is crucial to be open to such transformative technologies. Through targeted research and development work, the company has already investigated the potential of nuclear propulsion for yachts, analysing the technological, regulatory and operational implications.
Focus on regulatory challenges
Although economic and labour-related challenges remain significant, the lack of clear regulations remains the main obstacle to the introduction of nuclear systems in yachting. Issues such as radiation limits, sailing in environmentally sensitive zones and access to harbours in densely populated areas would need to be clarified before nuclear systems could realistically play a role in the yachting industry.
For Feadship, collaboration, transparency and proactive regulation are key elements for a sustainable maritime energy future. NEMO will work with maritime regulators, classification societies and insurers to ensure that applicable standards are adapted to floating nuclear power plants.
Feadship is looking for responsible innovations
"Yachting has always thrived on driving the future of technology at sea," said Giedo Loeff, Head of Innovation and Strategy at Feadship. "Joining NEMO is in line with our vision to explore every credible route to a sustainable future. Nuclear energy may not be the solution for tomorrow's superyachts, but it could become part of the long-term horizon - and it is our responsibility to help shape this opportunity in a safe and sustainable way."
According to La Colla, a more realistic role for nuclear energy in shipping and yachting would be the production of green hydrogen or methanol in plants on land or near the coast for use as carbon-free fuels.
Thorium project study by Feadship
Feadship was already working on nuclear energy in 2012 as part of the "Relativity" concept design. "We came to the conclusion that a nuclear fission reactor can technically be built that is adapted to the available space on a yacht and dimensioned in such a way that all operating conditions are taken into account," says Bram Jongepier, Senior Specialist Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects.
The reactor envisaged in the "Relativity" concept is a high-temperature, low-pressure molten salt reactor fuelled by thorium. The Norwegian Ulstein shipyard developed a similar propulsion concept for a self-sustaining electric ship powered by thorium. Thorium molten salt reactor The basis. Feadship would have converted the heat emitted by the reactor into mechanical energy using high-efficiency, closed-cycle helium gas turbines to drive the generators. However, the technology was not readily available and was also in uncharted regulatory territory.
