Nuclear Power Gains Momentum in Maritime Industry

In the UK, the maritime sector’s readiness to adopt nuclear power is advancing, according to the latest Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor (ZCFM) report by the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub. The report highlights increasing development and consideration of new nuclear technologies for shipping, driven by successful offshore and defense applications.

The ZCFM now evaluates five nuclear technology categories, including high temperature gas reactors and liquid metal cooled reactors, in addition to previously assessed pressurized water reactors (PWRs), micro-reactors, and molten salt reactors. Recycling technologies for spent fuel from PWRs reducing the environmental impact of fuel disposal. The feasibility of offshore refueling was demonstrated with the first refueling of a floating nuclear power station at the Akademik Lomonosov platform in November 2023.

Amelia Hipwell of the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub emphasized the long-term operational benefits: “An inherent advantage of nuclear power as marine energy source is that nuclear-powered ships are able [to] operate for many years without bunkering and could potentially even supply power to ports whilst docked.”

Despite technological advancements, community readiness is still hindered by public perception, and investment readiness remains low due to uncertainties about the broader adoption of nuclear technologies in commercial shipping.

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