Nuclear-powered offshore vessels have moved a step closer to reality. A Norwegian project has secured fresh state funding to build and test atomic engines for commercial ships.

The Research Council of Norway has awarded $2 million to the Marine Nuclear Propulsion System (MarNuPS) project. The consortium plans to develop and deploy small, modular nuclear reactors designed specifically to replace fossil fuels in offshore shipping. The reactors are intended to deliver high power output and long operating range without frequent refueling stops.

Engineers will not start by placing active nuclear materials straight onto the water. Instead, the team is building an integrated land-based testing facility at Stette, near Ålesund, with trials scheduled to begin in 2027.

The Stette facility will run a full-scale replica of a ship’s power plant. To assess safety and performance without radiation risks, engineers will heat the system with electricity rather than atomic fuel. 

“Testing will cover normal operation, rapid changes in power demand, transient and stress conditions, system performance and crew interaction,” explained the company.

The system will use the Gem Microreactor. It is a 5-megawatt unit developed by Emerald Nuclear. The design uses TRISO fuel pellets, which coat enriched uranium in layers of ceramic and carbon. 

“The MarNuPS Pilot will integrate Emerald Nuclear’s 5 MWe Gem Microreactor technology with energy storage, power conversion, vessel power management, automation and bridge control systems,” noted the firm. 

This structure withstands extreme heat without melting, preventing the radioactive releases associated with older reactor technologies. The reactor will convert heat into electricity through specialized power conversion systems supplied by Peregrine Turbine Technologies.

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