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Nuclear powered merchant ships could very well be the way forward as an alternative to oil power if the China Ocean Shipping group likes what it sees from a study currently underway.

Cosco President and Chief Executive Wei Jiafu says the use of nuclear energy to power ships was technically possible but the issue was whether society would be able to accept the concept. The company is already co-operating with China’s nuclear power group to study the idea.

“If we could prove we are able to use nuclear energy on ships safely this could be one of the solutions,” told Lloyd’s List.

Capt Wei called on international industry organisations such as Intertanko and the International Chamber of Shipping to support the safe use of nuclear energy to power ships. Intertanko Managing Director Peter Swift said it was always willing to talk about innovative ideas but expressed serious concerns about the practicality of using nuclear power.

Nuclear energy is already used in naval vessels to power submarines and aircraft carriers. There have been four nuclearpowered cargo ships, the first being the Savannah. She was built in 1961 at a cost of US$46.9 million, including a US$28.3 million nuclear reactor and fuel core, funded by United States government agencies as a demonstration project for the potential usage of nuclear energy.

More on this and other news in Sea Breezes Magazine - February 2010 Issue
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