China Unveils Thorium-Powered Nuclear Cargo Ship KUN-24AP
China has revealed the KUN-24AP, a groundbreaking cargo ship powered by a next-generation thorium molten-salt nuclear reactor. Capable of carrying up to 14 000 containers, the vessel marks a leap forward in sustainable, autonomous ocean transport.
Revolution in maritime energy
At the heart of KUN-24AP lies a 200 MW thorium molten-salt reactor — a fourth-generation design that operates without water cooling, unlike traditional uranium systems. This allows for a smaller, quieter, and far safer propulsion unit that can maintain consistent output even in extreme conditions.
The reactor’s compact core integrates multiple self-regulating safety layers. In case of overheating, the fission process passively stops without human intervention. Each modular reactor unit can be replaced roughly every ten years, significantly reducing maintenance risks and eliminating most leak scenarios.
Endurance and autonomy
Engineers claim the KUN-24AP could theoretically complete up to eighty circumnavigations of the globe without refueling or entering port. Operating at a steady 20-knot cruise speed, the vessel symbolizes a vision of continuous, emission-free maritime logistics — a stark contrast to conventional diesel fleets reliant on fossil fuels.
If scaled successfully, thorium-based nuclear propulsion could redefine commercial shipping, reducing carbon output while enabling new levels of autonomy for global trade routes. China positions the KUN-24AP as both a technological statement and a prototype for a future fleet of self-sustaining ocean freighters.
Editorial Team — CoinBotLab