en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Korea's HD Hyundai has expanded the application of small modular reactor (SMR) propulsion technology from container ships to car carriers. Its large pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) concept design, featuring a molten salt reactor, has received approval in principle from Lloyd's Register.
The concept was jointly developed by HD Hyundai's shipbuilding subsidiaries, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. HD Hyundai was responsible for the ship's concept design and technical review; Hyundai Glovis proposed operational plans based on its experience in car carrier operations; G-Marine Service conducted assessments from a ship management perspective; and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute reviewed the molten salt reactor technology. The molten salt reactor, a type of SMR, uses molten salt—a mixture of nuclear fuel and coolant—as fuel. Due to its high safety and efficiency, it is considered suitable for maritime nuclear power generation. Ships equipped with SMR propulsion install small reactors onboard, using their energy to drive the propulsion system, achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions during operation and enabling long-term high-power performance. HD Hyundai had previously promoted container ship designs based on molten salt reactors and has now extended this technology to car carriers. The global maritime car carrier market outlook is promising, with an expected average annual growth rate of 3.8% from 2024 to 2030, reaching a market size of approximately $4.5 billion by 2030. Key drivers include finished vehicle exports, growth in electric vehicle freight, and demand for eco-friendly ships. The European Maritime Safety Agency noted that while nuclear energy can aid shipping decarbonization, challenges in production, safety, security, education, liability, and insurance systems must first be addressed. HD Hyundai stated that it will collaborate with partners to showcase leading eco-friendly ship technologies and lead the era of carbon-neutral shipping through technology development and investment.
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