Jiangnan Shipyard has unveiled a new container shipping complex concept based on Molten Salt Reactor technology, setting out a proposed zero-emission system for deepsea container logistics.
The Chinese shipbuilder said the concept goes beyond a single vessel design. It links ships, ports, energy supply and cargo handling into an integrated operating system for future container transport.
The proposed complex includes two core modules and several auxiliary facilities. Together, they form a closed-loop zero-carbon transport network covering ocean routes, coastal feeder services and cargo handling.
Its main assets include MSR-powered ocean-going container ships, MSR-driven tugs and all-electric container vessels. The concept also includes nuclear power generation and green fuel production platforms, as well as ammonia-powered coastal feeder ships.
A nuclear-powered container transshipment terminal is also included in the design. It is intended to support ocean trunk routes, coastal feeder operations and container handling within the same network.
For energy supply, the nuclear generation platform combines molten salt reactors with power-generating units. It is designed to provide electricity to the floating offshore container transshipment terminal and charge all-electric feeder container ships alongside the berth.
The platform is also intended to use nuclear power for electricity and heat supply to produce green ammonia and other zero-carbon fuels at scale. These fuels would be used to refuel coastal feeder vessels and other ship types.
Jiangnan Shipyard said the project introduces conceptual designs that combine MSR nuclear power with electric propulsion, supported by a full operating framework. The design focuses on integrated supervision, navigation efficiency, operational flexibility and full-lifecycle zero-emission performance.
The shipbuilder also identified the intrinsic safety of molten salt reactors as a core advantage of the concept.
Developed as a full-value-chain net-zero transition solution for shipping, the modular and replicable concept can be adapted to different major port layouts and shipping lanes. Its green fuel production function is also intended to support maritime progress toward carbon neutrality.
Jiangnan Shipyard has long been dedicated to research into nuclear-powered, eco-friendly vessels and zero-carbon maritime facilities. In 2023, the yard unveiled designs for ultra-large nuclear-powered container ships that secured Approval in Principle from leading international classification societies.
