South Korea’s KAERI and Samsung Heavy win approval for floating nuclear reactor design

South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) have jointly secured an Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for their conceptual design of a floating small modular reactor (FSMR). This approval, part of the Novel Concept Class Approval process, validates the project’s feasibility and supports regulatory and partnership engagements. The FSMR design is based on a modification of the SMART100, the world’s first small modular reactor (SMR) to receive design approval, adapted for offshore use. SHI focused on integrating the SMRs into a floating platform and developing containment systems, while KAERI modified the SMART100 reactor for maritime applications, enhancing safety and modularity. The FSMR configuration includes two modified SMART100 reactors, each with increased thermal output of 365 MWt and electrical output of 110 MW, designed for a 60-year lifespan and a three-year refueling cycle. Safety enhancements include a passive cooling system that