International Shipping and Power Experts Join Forces to Explore Potential for Nuclear “Batteries” to Propel Future Generations of Commercial Tankers

ATHENS, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A consortium of British, American, and Greek interests have agreed to investigate the practical maritime applications for small modular reactors (SMRs) as commercial tanker-owners search for new designs that could deliver safer, cleaner and commercially viable forms of propulsion for the global fleet.

The Strategic Research Group at Lloyd's Register www.lr.org, Hyperion Power Generation Inc. www.hyperionpowergeneration.com, British designer BMT Nigel Gee www.ngal.co.uk, and Greek ship operator Enterprises Shipping and Trading SA www.estsa.gr are to lead the research into use of SMR’s in nuclear propulsion, which they believe is technically feasible and has the potential to drastically reduce the CO₂ emissions caused by commercial shipping.

"This an exciting project," said Lloyd’s Register CEO, Richard Sadler. "The aim of the research is to understand the implications and potential of SMRs in ship design and the practicalities related to the ship's safe construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal."

The agreement for the joint industry project was signed today at the offices of Enterprises Shipping and Trading in Athens, Greece. The research is intended to produce a concept tanker-ship design based on conventional and 'modular' concepts. Special attention will be paid to analysis of a vessel's lifecycle cost as well as to hull-form designs and structural layout, including grounding and collision protection.

“We see this project as a unique collaboration between two traditionally distinct industries: nuclear power and ship building,” said John R. (Grizz) Deal, CEO of Hyperion Power. “We believe the more input we have the better, and we look forward to working with the entire industry on this effort.”

International shipping has been identified as a significant global contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and it is under mounting pressure to contribute to overall emission reductions. There is an ongoing debate about how much the sector will be able to reduce those emissions, while continuing to support the forecast expansion in world trade that it enables.

Contacts

Hyperion Power
Deborah Deal-Blackwell, APR, +1 703-722-2821
M +1 407-620-4325
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BMT
Liz Churchman, +44 (0) 207-819 4809
M +44 (0) 7966 820 320
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Lloyd's Register
Nick Brown, +44 (0) 207-423-1706
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Russell Barling, +44 (0) 207-423-2217
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