South Korea advances nuclear ship propulsion

In late July 2026, a South Korean consortium received an Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping for a conceptual 15,000‑TEU container ship powered by two molten‑salt small modular reactors. The design, developed by KRISO, Samsung Heavy Industries and KAERI, aims to cut fossil‑fuel emissions while preserving cargo capacity and meeting Panama Canal dimensions.

Days later, South Korea’s Defense Ministry released a draft bill to establish a legal framework for the Jang Bogo N project, which plans to build three 8,000‑ton nuclear‑propelled attack submarines powered by high‑assay low‑enriched uranium. The legislation stresses compliance with the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty and seeks to fast‑track procurement. Both moves reflect a broader push by South Korea to integrate nuclear energy into maritime vessels for both commercial decarbonisation and military capability.