Hyundai Glovis and LGL Partner to Study SMR-Powered Car Carriers for Korea-US Trade Lanes

NEW YORK, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

Hyundai Glovis, the logistics arm of Hyundai Motor Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based Liberty Global Logistics (LGL) to assess the feasibility of deploying small modular reactor (SMR)-powered car carriers on trans-Pacific routes between South Korea and the US.

The collaboration, announced on Tuesday, marks a significant step toward commercializing nuclear-powered shipping—a zero-carbon alternative that could reshape global logistics.

The partnership underscores the growing global interest in SMRs as a clean energy solution for maritime transport, particularly for long-haul routes where emissions and fuel efficiency are critical concerns. For Hyundai Glovis, the initiative aligns with South Korea’s broader push to integrate nuclear technology into shipping, leveraging its expertise in both shipbuilding and nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, LGL—specializing in automotive and heavy cargo logistics—brings deep operational experience in US maritime regulations, a key factor in determining the viability of such vessels.

The MoU, signed on September 30 at LGL’s headquarters in Jericho, New York, was witnessed by Kim Tae-woo, Hyundai Glovis’ vice president and head of logistics business, and David R. Minetti, president of LGL. Under the agreement, the two firms will conduct a joint feasibility study covering multiple dimensions: Hyundai Glovis will evaluate port infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and operational conditions in South Korea, while LGL will focus on equivalent US requirements.

The study will also explore vessel design feasibility, flag state selection, classification society standards, and market entry strategies.

SMRs are emerging as a promising zero-emission propulsion option for ships, offering the potential to drastically reduce carbon footprints during transit while enabling extended voyage durations without refueling. Unlike conventional diesel-powered carriers, SMR-equipped vessels could eliminate the need for large fuel tanks and exhaust-treatment systems, freeing up cargo space and improving efficiency.

South Korea’s push for SMR adoption in shipping aligns with its development of the i-SMR, a next-generation nuclear reactor designed for marine applications, capitalizing on the country’s strengths in both nuclear technology and shipbuilding.

Hyundai Glovis has already made progress in this direction, securing Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register in June for a conceptual design of an SMR-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) at the SMM maritime exhibition in Athens. The AiP, granted after a technical review confirming the design’s feasibility and preliminary safety compliance, signals growing industry confidence in nuclear-powered shipping.

The company’s collaboration with LGL now extends this effort to a specific commercial route, the Korea-US corridor—a high-volume trade lane critical to the automotive and heavy equipment sectors.

The partnership also reflects broader industry trends. LGL, which handles automotive logistics for major global brands and US government cargo, brings operational expertise that could accelerate regulatory and operational hurdles in the US market. Meanwhile, Hyundai Glovis’ involvement ties into South Korea’s strategic ambitions to position itself as a leader in clean maritime technology, particularly as global shipping decarbonization targets tighten.

The study’s findings could influence future investments in SMR-powered fleets, potentially setting a precedent for other shipowners exploring nuclear propulsion.

For Malaysian and regional readers, the development holds relevance beyond South Korea and the US. As Southeast Asia’s shipping sector grapples with emissions regulations and rising fuel costs, innovations like SMR-powered vessels could offer long-term solutions for high-capacity routes, such as those connecting Malaysia to Europe or Australia. While no immediate commercial deployment is expected, the Hyundai Glovis-LGL collaboration signals a shift toward nuclear-powered logistics that could eventually impact regional supply chains.

The next phase of the study will determine whether the concept transitions from theoretical feasibility to real-world implementation, with potential implications for global shipping standards and clean energy adoption in the maritime industry.