Floating Small Nuclear Concept from HHI and HD KSOE Receives ABS Approval
"Floating nuclear power facilities show promise in supporting power grids, microgrids, industrial and port operations, data centers, and other uses."
Kwang-Sik Won, Senior Executive Vice President of HD HHI Offshore Business Division (left), with Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, at the 2025 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.
ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for a concept of a floating small modular reactor (SMR)-powered power module.
The design is intended to generate electricity offshore and near shore, supporting port facilities and onshore communities. ABS completed design reviews based on the ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications.
– Floating nuclear power facilities show promise in supporting power grids, microgrids, industrial and port operations, data centers, and other uses. Additionally, today’s advanced nuclear technology has a different risk profile from traditional reactor technology with state-of-the-art designs and with lower enrichment fuels, making commercial offshore and maritime applications more viable, said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
– The floating nuclear power plant is expected to play a key role in building a future powered by clean energy. We will remain fully committed to developing the necessary technologies and ensuring its successful realization, said Kwang-Sik Won, Senior Executive Vice President of HD HHI Offshore Business Division
The approval in principle (AIP) is the second granted to a floating nuclear power barge concept developed by HD KSOE. It marks the latest milestone in the company’s long-standing collaboration with ABS on nuclear technologies. Previous joint projects include another floating power barge and a pioneering 15,000 TEU nuclear-powered containership concept.
The ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications are available to download here .
The Pathways to a Low Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Plant study is available here , and Pathways to a Low Carbon Future LNG Carrier Nuclear Ship Concept Design report is available to download here .
