Norway backs nuclear ship engines with $2m grant: first tests in 2027
MarNuPS project to integrate 5 MWe microreactor with offshore vessel systems for 2031 deployment
Norway is advancing the development of nuclear-powered ships through a new research initiative backed by public funding. The Research Council of Norway has allocated $2 million to support the Marine Nuclear Propulsion System (MarNuPS), a project led by Emerald Nuclear Norway aimed at creating a viable nuclear propulsion solution for offshore vessels.
The MarNuPS consortium brings together key players in maritime technology. Alongside Emerald Nuclear Norway, the project includes shipbuilder VARD, offshore support vessel operator Island Offshore, and research institutions such as NTNU in Norway and Imperial College London. Machinery-monitoring firm Maskindynamikk is also part of the effort, contributing expertise in system performance evaluation.
Collaboration Across Industry and Academia: Norway
The first phase of the project will focus on building an integrated test facility in Stette, near Ålesund. Instead of using nuclear fuel, the facility will rely on electric heating to simulate the reactor’s thermal output. This approach allows engineers to assess how the propulsion system, power management, and control interfaces perform under real-world conditions, including rapid power fluctuations and stress scenarios.
The testing phase, scheduled for 2027, will evaluate the system’s response to normal operations, sudden power demands, and crew interactions. Emerald Nuclear’s design centers on a 5 MWe microreactor, which would be leased to shipowners rather than sold outright. The company’s business model ensures it retains control over the reactor and fuel cycle, while customers pay for the energy produced.
Island Offshore has already signed on as the first commercial customer, signaling industry interest in nuclear propulsion. The total cost of the first phase is estimated at $15.6 million, with the $2 million grant covering only a portion of the expenses.
Testing and Commercial Potential
Hallgeir Juliebø, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Emerald Nuclear, emphasized the significance of the funding: “This award is evidence of validation and momentum rather than the scale of the ambition. It demonstrates that maritime nuclear propulsion is now being pursued as a serious industrial project.”
The project’s long-term goal is to deploy the first nuclear-powered offshore vessel by 2031-32. If successful, the initiative could position Norway at the forefront of next-generation maritime energy solutions, particularly for remote or logistically challenging operations.
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