There has been much discussion on the reducing CO2 emissions from bulk and container ship operations, thought to be responsible for about 2% of total global CO2.

Here Maersk Line is leading the way, with a pledge to be net zero by 2040.

Supply Chain Digest Says...   Few details were provided on the design, with reports highlighting that China has classified the details of its efforts with thorium-based (not uranium) reactors because of the potential military applications.     What do you say?   Click here to send us your comments       Click here to see reader feedback

Carriers and ship builders have been looking at alternative fuels such as liquid natural gas, bio fuels and even full battery electric, but no real consensus on the best approach and technology has emerged.

Now comes news on what could be a game changer.

This week, according to a report in gcaptain.com and other sources, comes news that China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has launched an initiative to build what would be the world’s first large scale nuclear-powered container ship.

CSSC announced its plan at the Marintec China expo in Shanghai. The new ship will have a capacity of about 24,000 TEU and will utilize a fourth-generation Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) to generate electricity.

“The ultra-large nuclear container ship is designed to truly achieve ‘zero emissions’ during the ship’s operating cycle,” CSSC said in a Chinese social media post.

“This ship type has high safety, the reactor operates at high temperature and low pressure, can avoid core melting in principle, and has anti-proliferation and inherent safety features,” CSSC’s Weibo post said (translated using Google Translate), according to gcaptain.com.

Of course, navies and other government ships have been using nuclear power with zero-emissions for more than 60 years, so it is not a surprise that the shipping industry is exploring the use of nuclear propulsion for commercial ships in an effort to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint to meet international targets.

Christopher Wiernicki, chairman and CEO of international standards and classification group the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), believes nuclear propulsion is key to achieving a net-zero world.

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“A net-zero world is more easily realized through nuclear propulsion, and we are putting in place the foundations for that future today. Turning this into a practical reality will require significant public sector support and ABS is well placed to bring governments and industry together,” he said upon ABS’ release of a study in July that found a good business and climate case for nuclear powered ships.

“Advanced or small modular reactors address many of the issues traditionally associated with nuclear for commercial maritime use, with enhanced safety and efficiency, reduced cost and waste and proliferation prevention. Nevertheless, many questions need to be answered and it is critical that industry evaluate these technologies with a laser focus on safety,” he said.

However, few details were provided on the design, with reports highlighting that China has classified the details of its efforts with thorium-based (not uranium) reactors because of the potential military applications.

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