The Future of Nuclear Power in Maritime Industry

The UK’s classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has partnered with Queensland-based ship design group Seatransport and Houston’s engineering company Deployable Energy to revolutionize nuclear power generation in the maritime industry.

Initially focusing on strategic response vessels in remote areas, the trio plans to utilize micro modular reactor (MMR) technology to power a 73-meter amphibious vessel designed for emergency response and disaster relief operations.

With the capacity for two to five MMRs generating 1MWe each, the vessel is projected to operate continuously for eight to ten years without the need for refueling. This innovative technology will also enable the vessel to supply power to affected areas and shore grids when docked at ports.

Lloyd’s Register’s Global Technical Director, Claudene Sharp-Patel, emphasized the safety, insurability, and scalability of nuclear technology in shipping, highlighting its potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the global supply chain.

Recent studies have shown that nuclear-powered vessels could sail longer, faster, and more cost-effectively than conventional fuel-powered ships, with zero greenhouse gas emissions. This has prompted calls for government support to integrate advanced small nuclear reactors into commercial ships and floating nuclear power plants.

In a joint report with technology company CORE POWER and marine insurance provider NorthStandard, Lloyd’s Register proposed policy frameworks to incorporate nuclear-powered shipping and floating nuclear power plants into the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan and long-term nuclear strategy.

Meanwhile, in the US, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are collaborating to establish global standards for commercializing small modular reactors in the marine sector.

CORE POWER’s Liberty program aims to introduce floating nuclear power solutions to the market by the mid-2030s, further advancing the integration of nuclear technology in maritime operations.