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The Atomic Show #053 – Commercial Nuclear Ships

ByRod Adams

Shane and I discuss commercial nuclear ship history and future opportunities

Commercial nuclear powered ships were tried in the 1960s and 1970s with little follow on units. The United States built the NS Savannah, Germany built the Otto Hahn, and Japan built the Mutsu. None of these remain in operation today and all demonstrated various levels of success.

The only non military surface ships current operating with nuclear power are Russian icebreakers which benefit by the high power capacity and long endurance provided by their power systems.

Shane and I carried on a lively (at least in geek terms) discussion about various aspects of nuclear ship history and the future potential for the technology. Hope you enjoy!

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Rod Adams
Rod Adams

Rod Adams is Managing Partner of Nucleation Capital, a venture fund that invests in advanced nuclear, which provides affordable access to this clean energy sector to pronuclear and impact investors. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience. He has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology, regulation, and policies for several decades through Atomic Insights, both as its primary blogger and as host of The Atomic Show Podcast. Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed. To join Rod's pronuclear network and receive his occasional newsletter, click here.

2 Comments

  1. Why did the Savannah Fail? Her 163 pounds of fuel was equivelant to 29 millon gallons of Bunker C, what do you think the Oil Companies want to sell. Don’t look for any alternate power, util the Oil Giants, make profit on all there is.

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