Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, has unveiled a concept for a nuclear-powered floating logistics hub at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Greece. This innovative platform is designed to function as a container transshipment terminal, an energy production center, and a vessel charging station, aiming to significantly reduce emissions in maritime transport.
The core of the floating hub's power system is a molten salt reactor, which is further supplemented by solar and wind energy. This combination is intended to produce hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic green fuels. These clean energy sources will be utilized for both the terminal's operations and to refuel or recharge support vessels.
This proposal builds upon Jiangnan's prior work in nuclear-powered shipping, including a 2023 design for a nuclear containership that received DNV approval in principle. Earlier this year, the company obtained the necessary manufacturing and installation licenses from China's nuclear safety authorities. Jiangnan Shipyard highlights that molten salt reactor technology offers enhanced safety features, being resistant to meltdown scenarios and having a coolant that solidifies rapidly upon release, thereby limiting potential leak impacts.
The modular design of the floating hub is intended to support international shipping lanes, coastal transport, and cargo transshipment, with the potential for replication at other strategic ports globally. The initiative aligns with ongoing advancements in nuclear technology in China, including recent demonstrations of converting thorium into uranium fuel within a molten salt reactor system, positioning thorium as a potential alternative to conventional uranium fuel.
