DNV has granted HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a new 15,000 TEU container vessel powered by Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
The AiP presentation was held at DNV’s Busan offices and attended by Sungkon Han, Executive Vice President of HD KSOE’s Green Energy Research Lab; Geir Dugstad, DNV’s Technical Director; and Ole Christen Reistad, Senior Principal Researcher and nuclear research lead at DNV.
The group discussed the project’s findings and the growing potential of nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping.
The vessel concept showcases how SMR technology can be applied to large container ships operating at speeds of up to 24 knots.
It features a supercritical CO2-based power generation system, offering higher thermal efficiency and a smaller equipment footprint compared with traditional steam-based designs.
DNV reviewed the conceptual design in line with relevant international rules and safety standards, including SOLAS Chapter VIII and the IMO Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships, confirming compliance with applicable safety levels.
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Throughout the project, DNV worked closely with HD KSOE to evaluate the vessel’s overall safety architecture and the design of its advanced power generation system.
The review covered the ship’s primary functions, power supply configuration, and overarching safety philosophy.
A HAZID (Hazard Identification) workshop was held in May 2025 at DNV’s Oslo headquarters to analyse potential risks and accident scenarios related to nuclear-powered ships and guide design improvements.
DNV also recently published a white paper exploring the role of nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping. The report covers topics such as reactor technology, vessel design and operation, fuel and waste management, and nuclear supply chain governance.
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Dr Kwangpil Chang, CTO of HD KSOE, said: “This SMR-powered container vessel concept represents a key milestone in our efforts to explore alternative fuels for decarbonising shipping. The design prioritises safety and advances propulsion efficiency through the application of SMR technology.
“We have also developed a novel shielding and containment system to maintain reactor integrity and vessel survivability in events such as collisions, groundings, or sinkings. We will continue to collaborate with global partners to advance marine nuclear technologies.”
Geir Dugstad, Technical Director at DNV, added: “Evolving environmental regulations and new technological opportunities are renewing interest in nuclear propulsion as a viable route to maritime decarbonisation. Given the limited recent experience with nuclear-powered cargo vessels, this AiP marks a crucial first step in establishing a robust verification process. We are pleased to award HD KSOE this AiP, the outcome of intensive and productive collaboration that we look forward to developing further.”
