Naarea Explores Applications of its Reactor for Maritime Transport

Naarea has entered into a strategic partnership with the French company EO Concept to explore the use of its advanced molten salt reactor for producing hydrogen and e-fuel, specifically for heavy maritime applications.

Naarea, which is developing the XAMR (extra-small advanced modular reactor) based on molten salt technology, has partnered with EO Concept, a company focused on research and development of energy systems for naval and port sectors. This partnership will allow them to assess the necessary conditions to ensure competitive high-temperature production of hydrogen and e-fuels, while identifying the means to achieve these goals for heavy maritime transport applications.

A duo to decarbonise marine fuels

With its advanced reactor, Naarea aims to target various applications in transportation, agriculture, and smart buildings. The company plans to have its first XAMR units – which can generate 80 MWth and 40 MWe – operational by 2030.

EO Concept, on the other hand, is developing the Energy Observer 2, a 160-meter-long cargo ship powered by 4.8 MW fuel cell systems using liquid hydrogen. It is designed to be the world’s lowest carbon-emitting cargo ship. “Naarea’s XAMR solution represents a breakthrough technology which, combined with Energy Observer’s expertise in alternative fuels, will allow us to explore new avenues for producing hydrogen and e-fuels. This partnership reflects our shared ambition to offer concrete, competitive, and environmentally friendly solutions, and to actively contribute to a fair and responsible energy transition,” they explained.

“We are delighted with this collaboration with Naarea,” added Didier Bouix, CEO of EO Concept. “Together, we share a common goal of implementing effective solutions to meet real needs, particularly through energy ecosystems. The production of hydrogen through electrolysis and its liquefaction, in sufficient quantities and at a competitive cost in the target market, is a prerequisite for the deployment of our Energy Observer 2 cargo ship. The XAMR represents a promising medium-term solution to complement the energy mix of tomorrow and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of our transport modes.”

Last June, Naarea also partnered with CNRS and the University of Paris-Saclay to create a joint laboratory dedicated to molten salt chemistry. ■