HD Hyundai is expanding its nuclear-powered ship concept from container vessels to the car carrier sector.

The group’s shipbuilding units, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, have received approval in principle from Lloyd’s Register for the conceptual design of a large pure car and truck carrier using a molten salt reactor.

For the project, HD Hyundai carried out the vessel concept design and technical review. Hyundai Glovis provided operating plans based on its car carrier experience, while G-Marine Service reviewed the design from a ship management perspective. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute assessed the molten salt reactor technology.

A molten salt reactor is a type of small modular reactor that uses molten salt, combining nuclear fuel and coolant, as its fuel medium. The technology is viewed as suitable for offshore nuclear power generation because of its safety and efficiency profile.

An SMR-powered ship carries a compact reactor onboard and uses the generated energy for propulsion. During operation, the vessel emits no carbon dioxide and can support long-duration, high-output service. HD Hyundai had previously promoted molten salt reactor concepts for container ships and is now applying the approach to PCTCs.

The global car carrier market is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 3.8% from 2024 to 2030, reaching about $4.5 billion in 2030. Growth is linked to finished vehicle exports, electric vehicle cargo volumes and demand for greener vessels.

HD Hyundai said it is working with shipping companies and classification societies on vessel technology development, while continuing investment linked to carbon-neutral ship solutions.