ABB has signed a fresh memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish nuclear power business Blykalla to speed up the launch of small modular reactor SMR in shipping as a clean propulsion technology.
This follows an earlier MoU entered into by the two firms in October 2024 to work on lead-cooled Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology towards Sweden’s national clean energy policy. The new deal extends the partnership and indicates an increasing industry trend towards nuclear energy as a viable and sustainable source of power for the maritime sector.
Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER) of Blykalla is a small, passively safe reactor that applies inherent safety measures that do not require any operator actions. The SEALER was one of three types of reactors included in the Nuclear Propulsion for Merchant Ships I (NuProShip I) program that evaluates the suitability of adapting Generation IV SMRs to power the operation of large merchant ships.
ABB will be bringing its capabilities in key areas like system integration, power distribution, and advanced automation technologies to the table, ensuring the technical viability and reliability of using SMR in shipping.
“We’re pleased to extend our partnership with ABB into this strategically important vertical. With our compact reactor design, we see a unique opportunity to lead the way in maritime nuclear propulsion – a solution uniquely positioned to meet the sector’s demand for clean energy. Realizing this vision will require an ecosystem of committed partners, and this collaboration is a critical building block,” said Jacob Stedman, CEO at Blykalla.
“SMRs hold significant potential to drive decarbonization, and our collaboration with Blykalla will help to advance their viability in maritime applications. Next-generation SMRs will enable innovative ship designs that can help to reduce emissions compared to vessels powered by carbon-based fuels. We are proud to partner with Blykalla on what represents an important step on shipping’s decarbonization journey,” added Juha Koskela, President, ABB’s Marine & Ports division.
