Ulstein has launched THOR, a 149m nuclear-powered vessel touted as the solution to the maritime zero-emission puzzle. The ship is powered by a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor, which can produce vast amounts of clean electricity. The vessel is intended to serve as a mobile recharging and resupply station for other next-generation battery-powered cruise vessels.
The company spokesperson stated that MSR technology may be utilized directly in most vessel types. Thorium is a nuclear fuel present in abundance and has low radioactivity. Ulstein has also developed the SIF concept, a 100 m, 160 POB capacity, zero-emission cruise ship. This cruise vessel will use THOR as a portable power station, being able to recharge at sea.
Jan Emblemsvag, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, commented that MSRs have enormous potential for clean shipping. There is uncertainty in the fuel choice we will be using moving forward. This is an abundant energy source that, with the right approach, can be safe, much more efficient, cheaper, and with a smaller environmental footprint than any existing alternative at this scale.
The number of proponents of the application of nuclear power in the maritime industry is growing rapidly. Samsung heavy industries have teamed up with the Korea Atomic energy institute. Canadians are working with NuScale to develop marine power stations. Russians have a next-generation nuclear-powered icebreaker, and Chinese scientists are also developing their nuclear-powered propulsion technologies.
