Samsung Heavy Industries is accelerating the commercialization of floating small modular reactors (FSMR) by partnering with a leading U.S. nuclear design and engineering firm.
On July 22, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that it has signed a mutual priority cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sargent & Lundy (S&L) to develop a universal FSMR standard platform.
Founded in 1891, S&L has led global nuclear project design and engineering for over 70 years and was recognized as a leading firm in the nuclear plant sector in the 2026 Top Design Firms Sourcebook published by ENR.
This agreement targets the global market, including the U.S., and is expected to be a key step in advancing the FSMR project from conceptual design to actual commercial deployment.
Through this partnership, the two companies will jointly develop a universal FSMR standard platform that is not limited to specific reactor types. This strategy aims to broaden customer options and enhance their approach to the global market.
Additionally, the companies plan to collaborate on key stages of FSMR commercialization, including development, regulatory support, construction planning, and deployment strategies. They also intend to improve the technical completeness of FSMR to comply with evolving international and U.S. regulatory standards.
Kim Kyung-hee, Vice President and Head of Samsung Heavy Industries' Future Business Division, stated, "Collaboration with S&L, a leader in global nuclear design and engineering, will be a milestone in enhancing our FSMR technology. We will accelerate the advancement of FSMR technology, which is a next-generation growth driver, to lead the global offshore nuclear power market."
FSMR is a next-generation offshore nuclear power platform that generates electricity by deploying small modular reactors (SMR) on floating structures. With the recent surge in power demand across all industries due to the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, FSMR is gaining attention as an effective energy infrastructure for coastal and island areas where securing land for production is challenging or where power grid connections are limited.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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