Hyundai Glovis said Tuesday it has teamed up with US logistics firm Liberty Global Logistics to explore whether car carriers powered by small modular reactors could be commercially viable on routes between South Korea and the US.
The logistics arm of Hyundai Motor Group said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Liberty Global Logistics to jointly assess the operation of pure car and truck carriers powered by SMRs on routes linking the two countries.
The agreement was signed Sept. 30 at LGL’s headquarters in Jericho, New York, with Hyundai Glovis Vice President Kim Tae-woo, head of the company’s logistics business division, and LGL President David R. Minetti in attendance.
LGL specializes in ocean shipping and international multimodal transport of automobiles, heavy equipment, oversized cargo and project cargo. It also handles cargo transportation for the US government.
Under the agreement, Hyundai Glovis will examine port facilities, regulatory requirements and operating conditions in South Korea, while LGL looks into the relevant US regulations and operating conditions. The companies will also explore whether such vessels can feasibly be designed and built, the choice of flag state and classification society, and which strategies might be used to bring them to market.
SMRs are being considered as a zero-carbon way to power ships, since they could significantly cut emissions while a vessel is traveling and let it travel long distances without refueling.
Using nuclear power could also eliminate the need for conventional fuel tanks and some exhaust-treatment equipment, potentially creating more space for cargo and improving loading efficiency. The South Korean government is also developing its next-generation SMR, the i-SMR, and pursuing marine applications that pair its nuclear and shipbuilding strengths.
Hyundai Glovis has already taken initial steps toward developing a nuclear-powered car carrier, winning Lloyd’s Register’s approval in principle in June for an SMR-powered PCTC concept design at a major international shipping exhibition in Athens.
Approval in principle is granted by a classification society after it reviews whether a conceptual design is technically feasible and meets preliminary safety requirements.
Source: The Korea Herald