The Dutch-Swiss offshore company Allseas aims to use nuclear energy for its vessels after 2030. Together with the Delft University of Technology, the company is developing a small nuclear reactor. Allseas wants all its ships to sail CO2-neutral by 2050.
The company aims to reduce its own CO2 emissions by 30 percent in 2030, Allseas reported on Thursday. To achieve this, the company is designing a so-called Small Modular Reactor (SMR) together with the TU Delft. This is a small nuclear reactor that is custom-made for seagoing vessels and applications on land.
“Our goal is to start production in a specialized facility in 2030,” says project manager Stephanie Heerema of Allseas. “The first application is likely to be on land.” Meanwhile, the company is finalizing the regulations for offshore application. “After that, our own ships and the wider industry will follow.”
According to Annet Koster, general director of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR), this technology offers the Netherlands the opportunity to develop an innovative global export product. Allseas would then become a leader in emission-free shipping.
According to a climate agreement from 2023, international maritime transport must be fully climate neutral “in or around” 2050. That was decided by the 175 member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the time.
Climate neutral means that ships may no longer emit greenhouse gases. If they still emit something, they must compensate for this. This can be done, for example, by planting trees.
Last month, the IMO reached a stricter agreement on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Shipping companies must further reduce their emissions every year. If a certain ship exceeds the agreed basic standard, the owner must pay $380 (332 euros) per ton of emissions to an IMO fund.