Collaboration for Cleaner Marine Transport: KAERI signed a MOU with 8 institutions to Develop SMR-Powered Ships and Marine Systems

KAERI signed an MOU with 8 institutions on February 9th at the Gyeongju City Hall. The participating institutions included Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju-si, Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering(KRISO), Korean Register(KR), H-Line Shipping Co., Ltd., HMM Co., Ltd., Wooyang Shipping Co., Ltd., Sinokor Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.

This MOU aims to lay the foundation for the development and demonstration of SMR technologies for large ships and commercialization in the future.

Recently, the development of eco-friendly ships has been intensifying worldwide due to the strengthened greenhouse gas emission regulations in the international shipping sector. Last year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) discussed ways to adjust the 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target in the shipping sector.

The MOU signed by these institutions will allow them to jointly contribute to the development of the SMR industry and enhance the competitiveness of the Korean maritime and nuclear industries.

President of KAERI, Dr. Joo Han Gyu, said, "Theoretically, no matter how good the technology is, it means nothing if it cannot be used in our life." He also expressed his expectations for this agreement, saying, "through collaboration with the maritime industry, we can take one step closer to realizing advanced nuclear systems."