Objectives  After several decades of the development and operation experience of military ships, the safety of floating reactors has been greatly improved. Their promotion and application in the civilian field has been gradually recognized, and it is urgently necessary to solve the problem of adaptability in reactor loading on ships. The containment is the interface between the reactor and the hull, and consists of the compartment of the reactor loading on a ship. The containment design must be adapted to the marine environment conditions of the ship, as well as to the nuclear safety requirements of reactor operation.

  Methods  First, based on the adaptability requirements of floating reactor containment, the main contradiction between the pressure of the containment and the dimensions and weight of the ship is analyzed. A design and analysis process for floating reactor containment is proposed. With reference to the characteristics of onshore nuclear power plants and nuclear power ship containment, as well as the design requirements of foreign nuclear power ships and civil nuclear facilities, a square double-shell suppression containment is proposed in the dimensions of the containment configuration and pressure control program.

  Results  Through an analysis of the pressure characteristics and structural strength of the containment, the structure of the containment under design-based accident conditions is found to be safe, with controllable weight and space indicators, and a good ship's reactor fit.

  Conclusions  With reference to engineering experience, the overall index of a floating nuclear power plant based on this scheme is reasonable, and it can provide reference for engineering personnel.