Approval received from Lloyd's Register at Posidonia 2026; HD Hyundai expands nuclear propulsion development from container ships to car carriers

A 7,500-unit pure car and truck carrier built by HD Hyundai Samho. [HD Hyundai]
A 7,500-unit pure car and truck carrier built by HD Hyundai Samho. [HD Hyundai]

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding, both shipbuilding affiliates of HD Hyundai, said Thursday they received approval in principle from Lloyd's Register for the concept design of a large pure car and truck carrier powered by a molten salt reactor — a type of small modular reactor — at Posidonia 2026, a maritime exhibition held in Athens, Greece.

The project was jointly developed with Hyundai Glovis, G-Marine Service and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. HD Hyundai led the vessel concept design and technical review, while Hyundai Glovis contributed operational expertise from its PCTC fleet, G-Marine Service provided a ship management perspective, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute handled the MSR technology review.

An MSR is a type of small modular reactor (SMR) that uses molten salt — a mixture of nuclear fuel and coolant — as its fuel. It is widely regarded as well-suited for maritime nuclear propulsion due to its high safety profile and efficiency.

HD Hyundai has been developing MSR-powered container ships and has now extended that effort to car carriers. An SMR-propelled PCTC can sustain high output without refueling constraints, enabling long-distance, high-speed voyages while producing zero carbon emissions. Once SMR-based vessel development is complete, HD Hyundai is expected to widen its lead over Chinese rivals in the high-value shipbuilding market.

HD Hyundai participated in the five-day exhibition through five affiliates: HD Hyundai Heavy, HD Hyundai Samho, HD Hyundai Marine Solution, Avikus and HD Hyundai Electric. The group received certification from global classification societies for a range of technologies, including an LPG dual-fuel container ship — the first of its kind in the industry — and an LPG carrier fitted with enhanced Type-B tanks.

HD Hyundai Heavy signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with Skaramangas Shipyard, Greece's largest shipyard, to jointly pursue projects including Greek navy and coast guard vessels and unmanned surface vessel programs. Avikus signed a separate MOU with HJ Shipbuilding to adopt its autonomous navigation solution HiNAS Control as the standard specification for all commercial vessels HJ Shipbuilding builds.

"HD Hyundai is showcasing leading eco-friendly shipbuilding technology in collaboration with major shipping companies and classification societies," an HD Hyundai official said. "We will continue to lead the era of carbon-neutral vessels through technology development and investment."


yeongdai@heraldcorp.com