According to reports from the reputable publication South China Morning Post, this technology promises to fundamentally change maritime transport.
Unlike traditional uranium systems, molten salt thorium is considered significantly safer fuel that does not require water for reactor cooling. This makes it ideal for use on heavy vessels, where space and resources are limited.
Innovative Thorium Reactor: Safety and Efficiency at Sea
The key advantage of the thorium reactor lies in its inertness and low risk of accidents.
Without the need for complex cooling systems, such a reactor reduces the vessel’s weight and simplifies operation, which is especially relevant for container ships with nuclear engines.
Experts predict that the implementation of this technology will reduce CO2 emissions in global logistics, contributing to eco-friendly cargo shipping.
The World’s Largest Container Ship: Technical Specifications and Prospects
The new thorium reactor is planned to be integrated into a designed giant container ship that claims the title of the world’s largest.
This vessel will be able to accommodate up to 14,000 standard sea containers, ensuring efficient transportation of goods across oceans.
The main power plant will be based on a liquid-salt thorium reactor with a thermal power of 200 MW – a parameter equivalent to the S6W reactor used on American Seawolf-class submarines.
- Power: 200 MW of thermal energy for stable operation on long routes.
- Additional Equipment: Hybrid system with a diesel generator for emergency situations.
- Fuel: Molten salt thorium – a safe and accessible source that surpasses uranium in stability.
- Advantages for Shipbuilding: Reduction in dependence on fossil fuels in Chinese innovations in shipbuilding.
Such power will provide the container ship with autonomy for thousands of miles without refueling, revolutionizing nuclear energy for ships.
The project will not only improve the efficiency of global supply chains but also become a step toward sustainable development in the maritime industry.
Why Thorium is the Future of Nuclear Energy for Maritime Transport?
Safe nuclear fuel based on thorium solves key problems of traditional reactors: the risk of overheating and leaks is eliminated.
Chinese scientists emphasize that molten salt thorium can operate at high temperatures without external cooling, which is ideal for conditions on board heavy vessels.
This technology is already being tested, and its implementation is expected in the coming years, making China a leader in nuclear reactors for ships.
“This breakthrough opens an era of eco-friendly maritime transport, where container ships with nuclear engines become the norm.” – Expert in nuclear physics.