Photo: Freepik
Dutch mega giant Allseas has designed a five-year plan to integrate small modular reactors(SMRs) into offshore vessels, according to the latest reports.
The company aims to introduce SMRs in a bid to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide an alternative to other fuels like hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, which have faced certain supply and cost limitations.
Well-known for its Pioneering Spirit heavy lift vessel, the company said that nuclear offers ‘unmatched energy efficiency, combining zero emissions, with stable, scalable power supply.’
More on SMR deployment
Allseas aims to focus on SMR deployment onshore before heading for offshore efforts. Deploying SMR onshore will help combat high energy costs, grid congestion, and a volatile renewable energy supply.
This move will also ease grid pressure by offering consistent carbon-free power and heat, while decarbonisation and boosting industrial resilience and long-term competitiveness.
The plans with nuclear propulsion
Allseas’ project manager for nuclear developments, Stephanie Heerema said,
“As a family-owned company, continuity and preservation for future generations are central to how we work. We’ve built our reputation on turning bold ideas into ground-breaking solutions to meet the offshore industry’s evolving needs.”
She also revealed that the company’s goal is to start a projection facility by 2030. At first, it will likely be used on land, while waiting for final rules about using it offshore.
After that, Allseas plans to use this technology on some of its own ships. However, it won’t be added to all ships — only to certain ones that fit the purpose. The company also believes this move could inspire more companies in the industry to adopt similar technology.
“Allseas does not plan to retrofit SMRs across its entire fleet. The technology will be applied selectively to our largest, most energy-intensive vessels where the benefits of nuclear propulsion and onboard power generation are most significant.”
These include the huge Pioneering Spirit heavy-lift vessel, the pipelay vessels Solitaire and Audacia, its deep-sea mineral production vessel Hidden Gem, “and future additions to the fleet designed with SMR integration in mind,” added her spokesperson
Allseas also asserted that waste management was a crucial part of its long-term plan, so the company was exploring circular approaches. This includs the use of graphite and reprocessing of used TRISO fuel, to “further reduce environmental impact, ensuring waste management remains a key consideration throughout the SMR lifecycle.”
The high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), fourth-generation reactor technology, will be in the range of 25 MWe powered by TRISO fuel particles.
Hitting net zero targets
The shipping industry burns about 350M tonnes of fossil fuels every year, causing around 3% of world’s carbon emissions. In 2023, the industry set a goal to reach net-zero emissions by around 2050.
Allseas said nuclear power is a great option because it produces a lot of energy, doesn’t create carbon emissions, and can provide reliable, steady power.
On land, SMRs can help reduce the strain on electricity grids while giving factories clean power and heat. This can help cut emissions faster and make industries more competitive and resilient in the long run.
“Nuclear is the next frontier, and Allseas is leading the way to deliver safe, clean and reliable offshore and onshore energy,” Heerema said. “As pioneers of offshore innovation with a can‑do mentality, from single‑lift platform removal to dynamically positioned pipelay, we have a proven track record of turning groundbreaking concepts into reality.”
Source: msn
