Marine engineering contractor Allseas has announced the start of a project to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) intended for powering marine vessels and shore-based energy facilities.
The company highlights that the maritime shipping sector accounts for 3% of global CO₂ emissions. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia remain scarce and costly, especially for long-distance voyages. In this context, nuclear energy emerges as a more efficient solution for clean and reliable power supply.
Onshore industrial clusters face high electricity costs, grid congestion, and instability from renewable energy sources. The use of small nuclear reactors can reduce grid load while providing steady, carbon-free heat and electricity. This will accelerate decarbonization, enhance resilience, and improve long-term competitiveness.
Allseas has selected a 25 MW high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with a graphite moderator (HTGR) as the project basis — a Generation IV technology that produces energy without combustion or emissions.
According to the five-year plan, the company aims to complete initial design studies for marine and shore applications in the first year. This will be followed by prototype development and preliminary licensing discussions with key stakeholders — including regulatory bodies (Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, IMO, IAEA), safety and classification organizations (Lloyd’s Register), and research partners (TNO, NRG PALLAS, TU Delft, KVNR).
Stephanie Heerema, Head of Nuclear Development at Allseas, stated that production is targeted to start by 2030. Initially, while maritime regulations are refined, the technology will be deployed on shore facilities before installation on the company’s vessels and broader adoption within the shipping industry.
Allseas specializes in complex marine engineering projects such as subsea pipeline installation, heavy-lift transportation, offshore structure installation and removal for major oil and gas companies worldwide. The group’s activities include design, engineering, procurement, fabrication, and project management.
