RESEARCH
NUPROSHIP II (2025-2026)
PARTILHA
The Nuclear Propulsion for Merchant Ships (NuProShip II) project –
Research Council of Norway, developed by NTNU (Norwegian University of
Science and Technology) in cooperation with many institutions, including
ENIDH, began on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on December 31,
2026.
Estimated Project Value: 1,064,000.00 EUR
Estimated Value for ENIDH: 88,700.00 EUR
The
researchers from the Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique
(ENIDH) are Professors Luís Baptista (Principal Investigator), Pedro
Teodoro, Sandrina Pereira, and João Morim.
- NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway) - (coordinator)
- Sirius Design & Integration AS (Norway)
- Island Offshore Group (Norway)
- Lerøy Havfisk AS (Norway)
- Wilhelmsen Ships Service (Norway)
- SinOceanic Shipping AS (Norway)
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen (Norway)
- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (United States of America)
- Siemens Energy (Germany)
- Norges Rederiforbund - Norwegian Shipowners' Association (Norway)
- Cefor (Norway)
- IDOM (Spain)
- Knutsen O.A.S Shipping AS (Norway)
- OSM Thome (Norway)
- DNV - Det Norske Veritas (Norway)
- VARD Group AS (Norway)
- KTH Vetenskap Och Konst - Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm (Sweden)
- Sjofartsdirektoratet – Norwegian Maritime Authority (Norway)
- ENIDH (Portugal)
- Emerald Nuclear Inc. (Vendor - United States of America)
- Sempre.ai (Vendor - United States of America)
- Kairos Power (Vendor - United States of America)
- Peregrine Turbine Technologies (Vendor – United States of America)
- Blykalla (Vendor - Sweden)
Summary
Investigating and resolving the major challenge of decarbonizing large ships requires an interdisciplinary approach. The NuProShip II project ('Nuclear Propulsion for Merchant Ships'), developed by NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology in cooperation with numerous institutions, including ENIDH, features workstreams that address various research angles and objectives regarding nuclear propulsion. In the initial project, NuProShip I (developed between 2023 and 2024), a list of nuclear reactors with potential for ship propulsion was analyzed.
Investigating and resolving the major challenge of decarbonizing large ships requires an interdisciplinary approach. The NuProShip II project ('Nuclear Propulsion for Merchant Ships'), developed by NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology in cooperation with numerous institutions, including ENIDH, features workstreams that address various research angles and objectives regarding nuclear propulsion. In the initial project, NuProShip I (developed between 2023 and 2024), a list of nuclear reactors with potential for ship propulsion was analyzed.
However, in the current project (running from 2025 to 2026), it is necessary to identify how these reactors can also meet the detailed requirements for various ship types and operational modes. This involves nuclear engineering, ship design, marine engineering, legal requirements, and many other aspects relevant to the maritime industry. The reactors must also establish a set of requirements for: 1) ship design; 2) crew; 3) maintenance and safety operations; 4) remote capabilities; and 5) ship cargo management. This process encompasses nautical science, human factors, maintenance engineering, communication technologies, thermodynamics and systems, materials science, automation, and control, among others.
The project also explicitly focuses on stakeholder engagement, including shipyards, ports, the insurance sector, and more. Naturally, such an undertaking faces a series of significant R&D challenges. Based on the findings of the first project (2024), NuProShip I, there is confidence that the technological issues can be resolved. This is why these problems continue to be studied in NuProShip II, which will run until the end of 2026. This is by no means an easy task, but it is feasible. However, it is increasingly clear that stakeholder involvement will be crucial in choosing the technologies, as the projects' outcomes must ultimately be approved by society. Understanding how people think and what can be done to help them understand new nuclear technologies will therefore be vital; there is no point in developing nuclear propulsion technologies that meet all technical and commercial requirements if they are not accepted by society.
Disseminating results and involving stakeholders will also be essential activities for the project to achieve its intended success. Given the interest this project has generated within the maritime sector, the national cruise ship owner Mystic Cruises recently joined the consortium's list of partners. Regarding project activities, the '2025 International Conference on Nuclear Propulsion for Shipping' took place on June 17 in Aalesund, Norway, with the participation of ENIDH Professors Luís Baptista, Pedro Teodoro, and Sandrina Pereira, who are cooperating within the scope of the project.
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