Hyundai Glovis and LGL to Study Nuclear-Powered Car Carriers

Hyundai Glovis has partnered with U.S. logistics company Liberty Global Logistics to examine whether small modular reactor-powered vehicle carriers could operate commercially between South Korea and the United States.

The logistics affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Liberty Global Logistics on Sept. 30 at the American company’s headquarters in Jericho, New York. Hyundai Glovis Vice President Kim Tae-woo and LGL President David R. Minetti attended the signing.

The companies will jointly assess pure car and truck carriers powered by small modular reactors, or SMRs. Hyundai Glovis will review port infrastructure, regulations and operating conditions in South Korea, while LGL will study the corresponding requirements in the United States. Their review will also cover whether the vessels can be designed and built in practice, as well as potential flag states, classification societies and commercialization strategies.

LGL specializes in ocean shipping and multimodal transport for automobiles, heavy machinery, oversized freight and project cargo. It also transports cargo for the U.S. government, giving the partnership experience on the American side of the proposed trade routes.

SMRs are being considered as a possible zero-carbon propulsion source for commercial ships. In principle, nuclear power could allow vessels to travel long distances without conventional refueling while sharply reducing emissions during operation. Removing conventional fuel tanks and some exhaust-treatment systems could also free space for cargo and improve loading efficiency.

The project remains a feasibility study rather than a commitment to build or deploy a ship. Commercial use would require the partners to address nuclear safety, port access, maritime regulation, vessel classification and public acceptance across multiple jurisdictions.

The initiative follows earlier work by Hyundai Glovis on nuclear-powered shipping. In June, the company received approval in principle from Lloyd’s Register for a concept design of an SMR-powered pure car and truck carrier. Such approval indicates that a classification society has reviewed a conceptual design for technical feasibility and preliminary safety requirements; it does not amount to final authorization for construction or operation.

South Korea is also developing a next-generation reactor known as the i-SMR and exploring marine applications that combine the country’s nuclear engineering and shipbuilding capabilities. The new Hyundai Glovis-LGL study extends that effort toward a specific commercial use case on a major vehicle-export corridor.