China has revealed the 'world's largest' nuclear-powered container ship

Source: Can Emir | · INTERESTING ENGINEERING · | December 27, 2023

The "largest container ship" ever built boasts a load capacity of 24,000 standard containers.

China has unveiled plans for the "world's first" nuclear-powered container ship, signaling a significant leap in maritime technology.

The KUN-24AP, presented by Jiangnan Shipyard at the Marintec China 2023 exhibition in Shanghai, is poised to be the largest container ship ever built, boasting a load capacity of 24,000 standard containers.

Innovative power source: Molten salt reactor

The key feature of this monumental vessel lies in its propulsion system – a cutting-edge fourth-generation molten salt reactor utilizing thorium, a radioactive metal abundant and cost-effective in China. This marks a departure from traditional uranium reactors, offering enhanced safety and efficiency. Unlike uranium reactors that require copious amounts of water for cooling, the thorium-based reactor operates at elevated temperatures and low pressure, reducing the risk of meltdowns.