Investigating and solving 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 a large number of institutions, including ENIDH, comprises a set of research lines that address various angles and objectives related to nuclear propulsion.

In the initial project, NuProShip I, carried out between 2023 and 2024, a list of nuclear reactors that could potentially be used 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 of different types of ships and operational modes. This involves nuclear engineering, ship design, maritime 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 requirements
3. maintenance and safety operations
4. remote capabilities
5. ship cargo management

This process also encompasses nautical science, human factors, maintenance engineering, communication technologies, thermodynamics, materials science, automation and control, among others. Finally, the project explicitly focuses on stakeholder involvement, including shipyards, ports, the insurance sector, and more.

Naturally, such an undertaking faces a number of significant R&D challenges. Based on the conclusions of the first project, NuProShip I, we are confident that the technological issues can be solved. That is why these problems continue to be studied in NuProShip II, ongoing until the end of 2026. This is by no means an easy task, but it is feasible. However, it is increasingly clear that stakeholder engagement will be crucial in the selection of technologies, as ultimately, the outcomes of the projects must be accepted by society. Understanding how people think and what we can do to help them understand new nuclear technologies will therefore be crucial—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 engaging stakeholders will also be essential activities to ensure the project achieves the desired success.

Given the strong interest this project has generated in the maritime sector, the national cruise ship operator Mystic Cruises has recently joined the list of project partners.

As part of the project's activities, the "2025 International Conference on Nuclear Propulsion for Shipping" was held on June 17 in Aalesund, Norway (prospectus attached), with the participation of ENIDH professors Luis Baptista, Pedro Teodoro, and Sandrina Pereira, who are collaborating on the project.