Queensland companies developing nuclear power for ships

Gold Coast based ship design group Seatransport and an unnamed Brisbane-based technology company are developing nuclear solutions for the propulsion of strategic response vessels in remote areas. Using Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) technology, 2 to 5 MMRs of 1MWe capacity each, will propel a 73 metre amphibious vessel, designed for emergency response and disaster relief duties in remote areas. This will enable operation of the vessel for 8-10 years without refueling and the vessel can feed power into the shore grid of the affected areas and whenever docked at port. Working with London Based Classification Society, Lloyds Register, who has had decades of experience with nuclear classification for military vessels, the present program is to ensure quality, protocols and safety aspects are established and followed. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) based in Vienna, had their last November conference focussing on floating nuclear power plants. The Russians are already well advanced in this area, and many nations in Africa and Indonesia are committing or seriously considering these plug and play power options. Seatransport presented the ship concept at the nuclear seminar held in Mount Isa in August 2023. The seminar also highlighted the advantages of MMRs to remote communities and mining, as a key ingredient in regional prosperity, job security and successful training programs. For Editorial Inquiries Contact : Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]