POWERSHIP - Safe ship collision and grounding hull design for SMR-powered ships

Research Project, 2024 – 2027

Tougher EU requirements on environmental and climate emissions from shipping have once again stimulated discussions about the pros, cons, and risks of small modular reactors (SMRs) in commercial shipping. There is now a strong increased interest among shipowners, authorities, universities and research institutes, especially in Europe, to study and evaluate SMR. For example, the Swedish National Competence Center ANItA became operational in 2022. ANItA contributes to a common picture and greater common understanding of the needs that exist and the technologies that can fulfil the needs, and in that context, maritime applications of nuclear technology are also interesting. The POWERSHIP project will be part of ANItA and contribute to new understanding and competence in ship technology for constructing commercial ships with SMR. There are reactors in use today in special vessels, but allowing SMR in commercial vessels (rebuilt/new builds) will require changes in classification rules and standards. The project aims to investigate barriers within regulations for ship design/construction and propose solutions for commercial ships if SMR is introduced. From a maritime safety point of view, it is not evident whether today's rules and functional criteria for a ship structure can remain the same. Two scenarios worry the classification societies the most: collision between ships and grounding. The project primarily focuses on studying the hull's construction and resilience for these scenarios. There will be stricter requirements on side planking structure and hull beam for ships with SMR than those without SMR. Finally, the POWERSHIP project will generate new knowledge on how the future ships should be constructed and how existing ships should be adapted when installing SMR.