Modern Small Modular Reactors Suitable for Maritime Nuclear Objects. Nuclear to Maritime Road Map Development (Part II) by Aleksey Rezvoi :: SSRN
This article continues the previous analysis and presents a technical and comparative study of the current state of maritime nuclear propulsion plants and floating nuclear power plants, with a focus on small modular reactor (SMR) applications. It contrasts the development progress of SMR-based maritime systems in Western countries (notably the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada) with advancements in Russia and China. The paper highlights the lack of deployable, civilian-oriented maritime SMR projects in the West and explores the underlying technical and organizational reasons. Special attention is given to the power class required for marine applications (120-250 [MWt]), and distinctions are made between civilian and special-purpose microreactors. The discussion aims to frame the gap in development timelines. It outlines the potential, yet distant, prospects for practical implementation, as well as developing a roadmap for the development of maritime nuclear projects.