China’s state-owned Jiangnan Shipyard plans to build the world’s first nuclear-powered container vessel, a project that would further strengthen China’s lead in the global shipbuilding industry.
As reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Jiangnan vice-president Lin Qingshan said that the company is designing a 25,000-container ship powered by a thorium-based molten salt reactor.
The vessel, expected to have a 40-year lifespan, could enter construction within the next decade. He added that Jiangnan also plans to invest in a dedicated shipyard for building nuclear-powered vessels, though he did not disclose the investment amount.
Senior executives from Jiangnan’s parent company, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), said the group intends to expand into high-tech vessels, including cruise liners, deep-sea drilling ships, and nuclear-powered cargo ships, to move further up the value chain.
While no large nuclear-powered merchant ship has ever been built, such vessels promise zero emissions, longer range, lower fuel costs, and higher speeds. However, Lin noted that regulatory uncertainty remains a barrier, with no clear government agency yet designated to approve nuclear-powered commercial ships.
According to SCMP, China’s shipbuilders controlled 65% of global orders in deadweight tonnage during the first three quarters of 2025, though new orders fell sharply due to geopolitical tensions. The U.S., under President Donald Trump, has also announced major investments to challenge China’s dominance in shipbuilding.
Other Chinese companies are chasing next-generation maritime technologies as well. Battery giant CATL said it could launch its first battery-powered ocean vessel within three years. CSSC, which holds one-third of the global shipbuilding market, is also focusing on AI-driven and new-energy vessels while continuing to construct advanced ships like China’s newest cruise liner and its first deep-ocean drilling ship.
Jiangnan, founded in 1865 and known for building China’s first domestically developed aircraft carrier, showcased these innovations at the Marintec China exhibition in Shanghai.
