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I wonder why we don’t have nuclear cargo/container ships.

• dmoy 1y ago
  There is at least one This article gives a decent overview though: https://thebulletin.org/2024/09/why-nuclear-powered-commercial-ships-are-a-bad-idea/ https://thebulletin.org/2024/09/why-nuclear-powered-commerci...
• deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
• contrarian1234 1y ago
  Or a tug to pull N cargo ships during calm seas
• dragonwriter 1y ago
  There have been four nuclear powered cargo ships built and operated, but none of the former are currently in active service.
• wazoox 1y ago
  It's coming : https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/thorium-powered-nuclear-cargo-ship https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/thorium-po...
• Epa095 1y ago
  Probably the same reason for why there is not more nuklear power on land as well. Cost.
  • SoftTalker 1y ago
    And crew training, certifcation, etc. Not to diminish the skills required to run a conventional ship powerplant but running a nuclear reactor would take years more training and education and also command higher pay. The ship would also be a prime target for pirates/terrorists.
• deleted 1y ago
  [deleted]
• speed_spread 1y ago
  It would make for interesting special effects playing Fallout
• infinet 1y ago
  There were four: NS savannah (US): 1962 to 1971, too expensive to operate NS Mutsu (Japan): 1972 to 1992, neutron leak Otto Hahn (Germany): 1970 to 1982, converted to diesel power Sevmorput (Russian): 1988 to 2007, converted to world's first nuclear powered drilling ship