Nuclear energy for maritime shipping and coastal applications

July 16, 2025, 3:01PMNuclear News

The Boston-based Deon Policy Institute has published a white paper that examines the applications of nuclear energy in the maritime sector—specifically, floating nuclear power plants and nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels. Topics covered include available technologies, preliminary cost estimates, and a status update on the regulatory framework.

Unique opportunity: The paper points out that nuclear energy has the potential to benefit the shipping industry with high energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and zero carbon emissions. The report has a special focus on Greece, a nation that controls about 20 percent of the global commercial fleet and thus has an opportunity to take a leading role in the transition to nuclear-powered shipping.

Promising technologies: Floating nuclear power plants have numerous commercial nuclear maritime applications. These include the electrification of coastal areas and ports, emergency support during natural disasters, thermal and electrical energy for the production of green fuels (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol), power supply to desalination plants and data centers, and energy supply for offshore oil and gas extraction operations.

In addition, nuclear-powered commercial ship technology offers several advantages over conventionally powered vessels. These advantages include increased cruising speed without significantly increased costs; reduced equipment weight (because of no fuel tanks or internal combustion engines), allowing for more cargo-carrying capability; lower refueling frequency (operational time of 5–7 years without refueling); and zero carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the report, many governments, companies, and organizations globally are already actively working toward the transition to a nuclear-powered maritime era. These entities include the U.S., South Korea, Russia, and China; shipping companies such as Maersk and NYK Line; shipyards like Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering; classification societies including Lloyd’s Register and the American Bureau of Shipping; and tech startups like Core Power, Seaborg, and Copenhagen Atomics.

Regulatory framework: Maritime and nuclear regulatory authorities already have ongoing efforts to coordinate the licensing of nuclear-powered vessels. Discussions have begun to modernize the International Maritime Organization’s Resolution A.491(XII) (1981), which governs the safety of nuclear ships in international waters. In addition, the establishment of the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization in 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea program, and the 2024 ABS guidelines for floating nuclear power plants demonstrate international mobilization toward a unified regulatory framework.

The paper also calls for the Greek Atomic Energy Commission to align with international standards set by authorities such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.


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