Vard Study Shows Nuclear Propulsion is Feasible for Offshore Shippingby Ship & Bunker News TeamThe Norwegian project suggests nuclear propulsion is moving beyond theory. Image Credit: VardA study by Norway-based shipbuilder Vard suggests small nuclear reactors could power specialised offshore vessels while meeting safety and redundancy requirements. NuProShip II, short for Nuclear Propulsion in Merchant Shipping, is a two-year research programme focused on cutting emissions and improving reliability in parts of the offshore sector that are hard to decarbonise. The study was carried out with DNV, Emerald Nuclear, Vard Electro, offshore vessel owner Island Offshore and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Nuclear propulsion still faces hurdles, including regulation and public acceptance, before it can be widely adopted.