Comparative Research on the Economy and Emissions of Nuclear Powered Ship and Diesel Ship

Critical problems have recently affected the international shipping industry, e.g., the regulation of ship’s exhaust gases and the soaring prices of crude oil. It is estimated that crude oil prices will keep rising in the future, as developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, etc. are gradually increasing their demands for crude oil along with their economic growth. Maritime industries release a large amount of CO₂, due to the fact that most of ships are fitted with diesel engines. Nuclear Powered Ships can be a good alternative for reducing exhaust gases. This paper analyzes the economical aspects of Nuclear Powered Ships in terms of their development and operation. This research compares and evaluates their lifetime costs for these vessels using System Dynamics methodology. Nuclear Powered Ships and Diesel Ships are compared in terms of their costs and emissions for the several operating parameters including speed, capacity, fuel price change, navigation course, and so on.