Yacht owners push for nuclear power, Lloyd’s Register reports

In the UK, Superyacht News reports nuclear propulsion is gaining interest among yacht owners as a future power source, according to a new report from Lloyd’s Register, Fuel for Thought: Nuclear for Yachts. The report highlights how nuclear energy could revolutionize yachting, offering greater power, range, and sustainability, with some owners hoping to implement the technology by the end of the decade.

“Nuclear energy offers the potential to be as transformational to shipping as the shift from wood to iron or from sail to steam,” said Engel-Jan de Boer, Global Yacht Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register. The report notes that nuclear reactors, particularly Small Modular Reactors and micro-reactors, can run for years without refueling, providing emissions-free sailing and significant cost savings over time.

The report indicates that yacht owners interested in nuclear propulsion fall into two categories: those aiming to implement existing nuclear technologies by the end of the decade, and those planning for a longer-term adoption of advanced systems. While nuclear power has a strong safety record in naval vessels and icebreakers, public perception and regulatory hurdles remain key challenges for its adoption in yachting.

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