Maritime Nuclear: Delivering Safe, Scalable and Modular Solutions

Maritime Nuclear: Delivering Safe, Scalable and Modular Solutions

by Ioannis Kourasis

Applied Sciences & Engineering Energy THEnergy technology and engineeringTHKNuclear power and engineering
🎙 Ioannis Kourasis 👥 434 📅 November 4, 2025 ⏱ 41 min 👁 261 📄 conference presentation 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

nuclear propulsionfloating power plantsmolten chloride fast reactorsafety by designmaritime decarbonization

Summary

Ioannis Kourasis, a senior nuclear engineer at CORE POWER, presents the company’s vision for maritime nuclear applications. He begins by introducing CORE POWER, a private company founded in 2018 with over 65 strategic stakeholders, aiming to develop the world’s first end-to-end civil maritime nuclear program. The presentation covers two main products: floating power plants (nearshore and offshore) and nuclear-powered ships. Kourasis explains the rationale behind floating power plants, emphasizing cost reduction through shipyard manufacturing and access to new markets. He then discusses nuclear propulsion, highlighting its advantages over conventional ships, such as longer fuel cycles, higher speeds with zero emissions, and potential for increased cargo space. The talk includes a brief explanation of nuclear fission and reactor operation, using a light-water reactor as an example. He presents criteria for selecting nuclear technology for maritime use, including power output, temperature, size, availability, emergency planning zones, operator requirements, and response to marine environment. CORE POWER’s preferred technology is the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR), developed with TerraPower and Southern Company, offering features like high efficiency, online refueling, and scalability. The timeline targets floating power plants around 2035 and nuclear ships a few years later. Safety is addressed through ‘safety by design,’ with three fundamental principles: reactivity control, decay heat removal, and containment. Unique maritime challenges include six degrees of motion, vibrations, and accident scenarios like collision or sinking. CORE POWER conducts CFD analyses and collaborates with universities to address these challenges. The presentation concludes with a Q&A session.

246 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insights into the technical and commercial considerations for maritime nuclear power. It effectively argues for the feasibility and benefits of nuclear propulsion and floating power plants, supported by data on capacity factors and safety records. The argumentation is solid, relying on established nuclear engineering principles and ongoing R&D efforts. However, the presentation is promotional, and some claims, such as the timeline and safety of advanced reactors, are optimistic and not yet proven.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation demonstrates scientific rigor by referencing industry experience (12,000 reactor years of naval operation), regulatory frameworks, and specific R&D projects. The speaker cites collaborations with reputable organizations like TerraPower, ABS, and universities. The title accurately reflects the content. The talk is well-structured and technically detailed, though it lacks external citations and relies on the company’s own claims. The Q&A session adds credibility by addressing audience questions.

158 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on delivering safe, scalable, and modular nuclear solutions for maritime applications.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The presentation is given by a senior nuclear engineer from CORE POWER, a company actively developing maritime nuclear applications. It provides a clear overview of nuclear technology, criteria for maritime use, and safety considerations, supported by references to industry experience and ongoing R&D. The content is technically sound and aligns with established nuclear engineering principles, though it is promotional in nature and lacks independent verification.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • IAEA - Nuclear Power — Supports the safety and reliability of nuclear power.

Contribution & Novelties

The presentation offers a comprehensive overview of CORE POWER’s approach to maritime nuclear applications, highlighting the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor as a promising technology. It emphasizes the importance of designing nuclear systems and ships in parallel, addressing unique maritime challenges such as motion and accident scenarios. The talk provides insights into ongoing R&D, including CFD analyses and criticality safety studies, which are not widely publicized.

Pour aller plus loin :

112 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity and quality of information, with a slightly lower technical level, indicating a presentation that is informative and credible but not overly technical. The overall reliability is high, reflecting the speaker's expertise and the company's established position.

Reliability 8/10

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