Lloyd’s Register grants approval for hybrid nuclear vessel

Lloyd’s Register has issued an Approval in Principle for a hybrid nuclear-ready power concept developed jointly with Australian ship design firm Seatransport.

The concept integrates nuclear Micro Modular Reactors with conventional diesel-electric systems across two amphibious stern landing vessel designs measuring 73 metres and 90 metres respectively.

The approval follows several years of technical collaboration between the two organisations, during which they demonstrated that licensable MMRs can be safely combined with established diesel-electric propulsion to produce long-range vessels with substantially reduced fuel dependency and emissions.

Sea trials conducted on a recently launched 73-metre stern landing vessel operating under conventional power validated the design assumptions underpinning the MMR integration concept, providing a technical foundation for the hybrid configuration.

Seatransport’s stern landing vessel platform carries over 25 years of operational history. The addition of hybrid nuclear capability is intended to deliver effectively unlimited operational range, extended mission endurance, and reliable performance in demanding environments including remote and unprepared coastal landing sites.

The approach also offers reduced dependence on conventional fuels and lower emissions across the vessel’s operational profile.

The MMR units under consideration range from 1.2 MW to 2.6 MW and are subject to ongoing technical and regulatory assessment.

Lloyd’s Register is engaged with national authorities to ensure full compliance with safety and operational standards. Broader commercial adoption of the technology is anticipated in the early 2030s.

Jez Sims, Technical Authority for Nuclear at Lloyd’s Register, described the approval as a meaningful step for both the organisation and the wider maritime industry, emphasising the importance of independent technical assurance in translating pioneering concepts into practical and safe applications.

The post Lloyd’s Register grants approval for hybrid nuclear vessel appeared first on Container News.