Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer transformative potential for maritime propulsion by providing significant benefits such as reduced emissions, enhanced fuel efficiency, and greater operational autonomy. However, their integration into the maritime sector presents complex regulatory challenges due...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/11/1978 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846153305046122496 |
|---|---|
| author | Seon-Gon Kim Sanghwan Kim Jophous Mugabi Jae-Ho Jeong |
| author_facet | Seon-Gon Kim Sanghwan Kim Jophous Mugabi Jae-Ho Jeong |
| author_sort | Seon-Gon Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer transformative potential for maritime propulsion by providing significant benefits such as reduced emissions, enhanced fuel efficiency, and greater operational autonomy. However, their integration into the maritime sector presents complex regulatory challenges due to the convergence of nuclear and maritime laws. A unified, harmonized regulatory framework is essential to ensure safety, radioactive waste management, and accident prevention. While initiatives led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) are progressing, key gaps remain, particularly regarding maritime-specific risk assessments, emergency response protocols, and cross-border regulatory harmonization. Enhanced collaboration between regulatory bodies, pilot projects, and transparent engagement with stakeholders will be critical to refining safety protocols and accelerating regulatory alignment. Public acceptance remains a vital factor, requiring rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and transparent communication to build trust and align SMR-powered vessels with global sustainability objectives. While challenges persist, they also present opportunities for innovation and international cooperation. By addressing these regulatory and public acceptance challenges through coordinated efforts and policies, SMR propulsion can become a cornerstone of a more sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced maritime sector. Successful deployment will position SMRs as a key component of the global energy transition, driving progress toward low-carbon shipping and a greener maritime industry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b725d28fc7c94934a0bbe71cb6daa3d7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-b725d28fc7c94934a0bbe71cb6daa3d72024-11-26T18:08:08ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-11-011211197810.3390/jmse12111978Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of KoreaSeon-Gon Kim0Sanghwan Kim1Jophous Mugabi2Jae-Ho Jeong3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of KoreaNaval Ship Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering, 32, 1312 Beon-gil, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon-si 305-343, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of KoreaSmall Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer transformative potential for maritime propulsion by providing significant benefits such as reduced emissions, enhanced fuel efficiency, and greater operational autonomy. However, their integration into the maritime sector presents complex regulatory challenges due to the convergence of nuclear and maritime laws. A unified, harmonized regulatory framework is essential to ensure safety, radioactive waste management, and accident prevention. While initiatives led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) are progressing, key gaps remain, particularly regarding maritime-specific risk assessments, emergency response protocols, and cross-border regulatory harmonization. Enhanced collaboration between regulatory bodies, pilot projects, and transparent engagement with stakeholders will be critical to refining safety protocols and accelerating regulatory alignment. Public acceptance remains a vital factor, requiring rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and transparent communication to build trust and align SMR-powered vessels with global sustainability objectives. While challenges persist, they also present opportunities for innovation and international cooperation. By addressing these regulatory and public acceptance challenges through coordinated efforts and policies, SMR propulsion can become a cornerstone of a more sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced maritime sector. Successful deployment will position SMRs as a key component of the global energy transition, driving progress toward low-carbon shipping and a greener maritime industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/11/1978nuclear powered vesselsSmall Modular Reactors (SMRs)floating nuclear power plantsSMR licensingregulatory challenges |
| spellingShingle | Seon-Gon Kim Sanghwan Kim Jophous Mugabi Jae-Ho Jeong Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea Journal of Marine Science and Engineering nuclear powered vessels Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) floating nuclear power plants SMR licensing regulatory challenges |
| title | Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea |
| title_full | Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea |
| title_fullStr | Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea |
| title_short | Review of the Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Small Modular Reactors in Republic of Korea |
| title_sort | review of the regulatory challenges and opportunities for maritime small modular reactors in republic of korea |
| topic | nuclear powered vessels Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) floating nuclear power plants SMR licensing regulatory challenges |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/11/1978 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT seongonkim reviewoftheregulatorychallengesandopportunitiesformaritimesmallmodularreactorsinrepublicofkorea AT sanghwankim reviewoftheregulatorychallengesandopportunitiesformaritimesmallmodularreactorsinrepublicofkorea AT jophousmugabi reviewoftheregulatorychallengesandopportunitiesformaritimesmallmodularreactorsinrepublicofkorea AT jaehojeong reviewoftheregulatorychallengesandopportunitiesformaritimesmallmodularreactorsinrepublicofkorea |