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According to a recent statement posted on the website of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), there are now two demonstration projects underway, including a nuclear-powered LNG tanker, backed by Knutsen, and a specialized offshore vessel being developed with Island Offshore.
This work is supported by a broader research and industrial effort – including the recently completed NuProShip II project – where ship designers, class and operators are examining how small modular reactors can be integrated into real vessel concepts.
“The focus is no longer on whether nuclear propulsion is possible but on how it can be implemented – and what stands in the way,” the statement said.
NTNU hosted a conference on June 9 where the projects were discussed.
It appears that the demostatrion vessel is the 2004-built 138,000-cbm Cadiz Knutsen, which has a 28,000 kW steam turbine plant.
The steam LNG carrier is planned for retrofitting with Tesser Atomics’ molten-salt Triton reactors.
This move comes at a time when Knutsen is investing heavily in expanding its LNG fleet.
Knutsen recently announced that it is working on new projects to further expand its fleet of 50 LNG carriers.
The company just ordered another LNG carrier from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.
This puts the total to nine LNG carriers the company ordered at the shipbuilder since last year.