Jiangnan Shipyard, a shipbuilding enterprise under the state-owned CSSC corporation, has unveiled a concept for a large-scale floating offshore complex powered by a nuclear energy unit. This project is envisioned as a versatile “energy island” for global maritime logistics and was showcased at the international exhibition Posidonia 2026 in Athens.
According to the developers’ design, the floating platform is intended to integrate several functions simultaneously: a container port, an energy hub, and a refueling station for vessels. The complex will be capable of receiving and redistributing cargo flows, serving as a transshipment hub along maritime routes.
The energy component of the project incorporates a molten salt reactor (MSR). In addition to this, the platform is planned to host wind turbines and solar panels. The generated energy will not only power the complex’s own operations but will also be used for charging electric vessels and producing hydrogen and ammonia, which can be utilized as alternative marine fuels.
Particular emphasis has been placed on the modular design. Jiangnan Shipyard highlights that such floating complexes could potentially be deployed in various global regions – from major ports to key shipping corridors – thereby establishing a distributed network of energy nodes.
The foundation of this project is the molten salt reactor, where nuclear fuel is dissolved in molten salt, which also functions as the coolant. Unlike conventional reactors, these systems operate at low pressure, reducing the risk of accidents caused by hull breaches due to overpressure.
Furthermore, in the event of a leak, the molten salt rapidly solidifies, containing the spread of radioactive materials. The design eliminates the need for water cooling, which is particularly advantageous for marine operational environments.
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