Jiangnan Shipyard Unveils New Nuclear Power Program in Greece

June 07, 2026

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(Xinde Maritime) Jiangnan Shipyard makes another move in "nuclear energy shipping": this time it's not just one ship. According to Xinde Maritime Network, on June 2, Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, released a new concept plan for a molten salt reactor (MSR) nuclear energy container transport complex during the Poseidon Maritime Exhibition in Greece.

This marks another significant public announcement by Jiangnan Shipyard in the field of nuclear-powered shipping equipment, following its unveiling of a design for an ultra-large nuclear-powered container ship in 2023. Compared to previous designs that focused on a single nuclear-powered vessel type, this new plan further integrates ocean-going container ships, nuclear power generation platforms, green fuel production, near-shore feeder transportation, and offshore container transshipment terminals into a single system design, attempting to construct a new zero-carbon container logistics model that integrates "ship-port-energy-transshipment".

Against the backdrop of the global shipping industry accelerating towards net-zero emissions, pathways such as methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, biofuels, wind-assisted propulsion, batteries, and carbon capture are being pursued in parallel. Nuclear energy, due to its high energy density, long-cycle power supply, and low carbon emissions during operation, has once again entered the discussion of carbon reduction in ocean shipping in recent years. The new plan released by Jiangnan Shipyard also demonstrates that China's shipbuilding industry's exploration of nuclear energy applications in ocean-going merchant ships is extending from the ship design level to the shipping energy system level.

From nuclear-powered box ships to nuclear-powered shipping complexes

Jiangnan Shipyard has made continuous investments in the field of nuclear energy shipping equipment.

In December 2023, at the China International Maritime Technology Conference and Exhibition, Jiangnan Shipyard unveiled its 24,000 TEU nuclear-powered container ship design and received a certificate of approval in principle from DNV. This ship design utilizes a fourth-generation molten salt reactor, emphasizing high-temperature, low-pressure operation, inherent safety, and non-proliferation features. It was one of the most anticipated nuclear-powered ultra-large container ship concepts globally at the time.

Entering 2026, Jiangnan Shipyard also made progress in obtaining nuclear-related manufacturing and installation qualifications. In February 2026, the National Nuclear Safety Administration issued Jiangnan Shipyard a "Civil Nuclear Safety Equipment Manufacturing License" and a "Civil Nuclear Safety Equipment Installation License," both valid for five years. According to public documents, the scope of the licenses covers manufacturing activities such as pipes and fittings, steel containment vessels, and the installation of general nuclear safety mechanical and electrical equipment for small floating reactors.

These developments demonstrate that Jiangnan Shipyard's strategic layout around nuclear energy shipping is not merely a conceptual demonstration, but rather a gradual accumulation of capabilities in areas such as ship design and development, classification society accreditation, and the manufacturing and installation of nuclear safety equipment.

The molten salt reactor nuclear energy container transport complex launched in Greece further expands this exploration from "a nuclear-powered ship" to "a zero-carbon transport system".

Integrated shipping, port, energy and transshipment

According to Jiangnan Shipyard, the molten salt reactor nuclear energy container transport complex consists of two core modules and multiple equipment units, covering multiple links such as ocean trunk lines, near-shore docking, maritime transshipment and energy supply.

The core equipment includes a combination of nuclear-powered ocean-going container ships, molten salt reactor-powered tugboats and pure electric container ships, and is complemented by a nuclear power generation and green fuel production platform, an ammonia-powered green fuel offshore feeder ship, and a nuclear-powered container transshipment terminal, among other conceptual designs.

The key change in this plan is the expansion of nuclear energy applications from ship propulsion systems to shipping infrastructure and energy supply systems. Nuclear-powered ocean-going container ships can undertake long-distance trunk line transportation tasks; offshore nuclear power generation platforms can supply power to floating container transshipment terminals and provide charging services for berthed all-electric feeder container ships.

Meanwhile, relying on nuclear power for electricity and heat supply, the system can also be used to produce zero-carbon fuels such as green ammonia, providing fuel replenishment for near-shore feeder ships and other vessels. Thus, Jiangnan Shipyard is attempting to build a closed-loop system encompassing ocean shipping, maritime transshipment, near-shore distribution, and zero-carbon fuel replenishment.

Molten salt reactors become the core technology

The core technology of this plan is the molten salt reactor, which is part of the fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy technology roadmap.

According to Jiangnan Shipyard, molten salt reactors possess inherent safety and non-proliferation characteristics. Their fuel or cooling medium exists in the form of molten salt, which solidifies rapidly at ambient temperatures, helping to reduce the risk of accidental leaks. The related plan also combines molten salt reactor nuclear energy with electric propulsion, along with corresponding operational models, to balance navigation efficiency, maneuverability, comprehensive monitoring, and the goal of zero emissions throughout the entire process.

For large ocean-going container ships, energy density remains a core issue in the zero-carbon transition. Alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen all face challenges related to supply chains, fuel costs, cargo space occupancy, and life-cycle emissions accounting. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, attempts to provide another technological option for ultra-long-distance trunk line transportation due to its long lifespan, high power output, and low refueling frequency.

However, moving from conceptual design to practical application, nuclear-powered merchant ships still face multiple challenges, including regulatory rules, port acceptance, international conventions, classification society standards, public perception, operational safety, and business models. Therefore, this release is more appropriately viewed as a forward-looking solution for a future zero-carbon ocean transport system, rather than a conventional ship product that can be commercialized on a large scale in the short term.

Shipping carbon reduction enters the "systematic solution" stage

Currently, the global shipping industry is searching for energy routes that align with long-term net-zero targets. Different technological approaches have been implemented across various ship types, routes, and operational scenarios, but long-haul ocean shipping still faces more challenging energy substitution issues.

The molten salt reactor nuclear energy container transport complex unveiled by Jiangnan Shipyard showcases a more systematic vision for zero-carbon shipping. Its core is not limited to replacing ship fuel, but rather integrates ships, energy, ports, transshipment, and feeder networks into a unified design.

This also reflects an important direction in future competition in the high-end shipbuilding industry: while single-ship design capabilities remain important, green energy system integration capabilities, complex engineering organization capabilities, long-term safety and compliance capabilities, and the ability to output full-chain operation solutions are becoming higher-level competitive factors.

For China's shipbuilding industry, Jiangnan Shipyard's release of this plan at the international maritime exhibition is of significant importance. From the design of the ultra-large nuclear-powered container ship in 2023, to obtaining the qualification for manufacturing and installing nuclear safety equipment in 2026, and now to the release of the molten salt reactor nuclear energy container transport complex, Jiangnan Shipyard is forming a relatively clear technological advancement path around nuclear energy shipping.

Whether nuclear energy can become a crucial route for the zero-carbon transformation of ocean-going merchant ships still requires long-term verification by the market, regulations, and technology. However, what is certain is that the discussion on shipping decarbonization is moving from single fuel selection to a more complex stage of energy system design. The molten salt reactor nuclear energy container transport complex recently unveiled by Jiangnan Shipyard is an important exploration under this trend. READ MORE

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LR backs nuclear car carrier concept at Posidonia (Lloyd's Register)

Excerpt from Lloyd's Register: Lloyd’s Register (LR) has teamed up with leading Korean shipbuilding, marine services and nuclear research organisations to advance the development of a nuclear‑assisted car carrier concept.

LR is working with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), Hyundai Glovis, G- Marine Service and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) on a joint development project (JDP) exploring an advanced small modular reactor (SMR) installation on a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).

The study focused on how a Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) could be physically and operationally integrated into a large vehicle carrier. Work examined the internal arrangement and segregation of the reactor system, shielding requirements, and the impact on cargo deck layout and vehicle capacity, alongside stability and trim implications linked to the reactor’s weight and positioning.

The partners also assessed propulsion system configuration and power delivery, as well as operational flexibility compared with conventionally fuelled PCTCs, where trade routes and port calls can be tightly constrained.

A key focus of the project has been safety. LR led hazard identification (HAZID) and preliminary risk assessment work, focusing on containment, onboard safety systems and potential operability constraints tied to nuclear technology at sea.

The partners will mark the project milestone with an Approval in Principle (AiP) granting ceremony on 2 June at the LR stand during Posidonia 2026.

Sung-Gu Park, President – North East Asia, Lloyd’s Register, said:
“While nuclear propulsion is still at an early stage of development, this project shows the importance of building technical understanding now to support future progress.

“Establishing feasibility at concept stage is a valuable step forward, particularly in areas such as cargo optimisation, vessel stability and integrated safety design.”

Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO and Senior Executive Vice President at HD HHI, said: “With global environmental regulations becoming increasingly stringent and no definitive net-zero fuel yet available, SMR-powered ships can serve as a highly effective alternative, representing a pioneering next-generation maritime technology capable of complying with GHG emission regulations while allowing lifetime operation without refuelling, and HD HHI will remain at the forefront of sustainable maritime technology development.”

A spokesperson from Hyundai Glovis said: “As an operator of one of the world’s largest PCTC fleets, we understand first-hand the operational realities and limitations of conventional propulsion.

“This study has demonstrated the technical feasibility of nuclear-assisted propulsion for large vehicle carriers, while also highlighting broader future potential in vessel design and operational flexibility.

“As a company committed to net-zero by 2045, we believe this represents a credible long-term option worthy of further development together with our partners.”

A G-Marine Service spokesperson said: “The application of small modular reactor technology to a PCTC represents a meaningful step in exploring practical pathways toward zero-emission vessel.

“From a ship management perspective, this project is important not only for assessing technical feasibility, but also for examining how SMR-based propulsion can be integrated into real operating environments, including onboard safety, maintainability, crew support and long-term operational reliability.

“G-Marine Service is pleased to contribute its operational expertise to this joint effort and to support the development of safe and credible solutions for the future of maritime transport.”

A Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) spokesperson, said: “As an institution developing advanced reactor technologies, KAERI considers this work a meaningful achievement in assessing the potential application of SMRs in the maritime sector, taking actual ship operating environments into account. The study is particularly significant because it examined the technical feasibility of applying an MSR type marine SMR to a specific target vessel, namely a PCTC.

“KAERI will continue its efforts, through sustained verification and demonstration, to help ensure that this technology contributes to carbon neutrality in maritime transport.”

At Posidonia 2026, LR reinforced its role at the forefront of maritime nuclear innovation by convening senior leaders from across shipping, nuclear and international regulation for a high-level roundtable on the future of nuclear propulsion.

Held yesterday (1 June) at the Athens Olympic Museum, the closed-door session brought together around 20 senior representatives from shipowners, reactor developers, regulators and industry bodies to examine the technical, regulatory and commercial steps needed to move nuclear-powered shipping closer to reality.

The discussion was designed to move the industry beyond theory and into delivery, highlighting LR’s ability to connect nuclear safety, maritime assurance and cross-sector collaboration in support of safe, commercially viable nuclear propulsion. READ MORE