Study says maritime industry needs to examine range of fuel and propulsion pathways
Existing port safety and risk management policies could provide a starting point for the assessment of nuclear-powered commercial vessels, but much work lies ahead on regulatory alignment and governance, a study has shown.
The study was carried out using the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands as a reference, and in conjunction with maritime authority Lloyd’s Register, shipping giant AP Moller Maersk and technology innovation company Core Power.
The study found that existing risk-based port safety frameworks familiar to European ports could form a starting point for assessing nuclear vessels as long as nuclear-specific safety, security and operational considerations were integrated according to national and international codes.
However, the study said that further work was needed on regulatory alignment, governance coordination, nuclear specific safety and security, emergency preparedness, liability and insurance, operational integration and public engagement before commercial operations could be viable.
Furthermore, the study said that current International Maritime Organisation (IMO) provisions relating to nuclear-powered ships were developed for an earlier era and require modernisation to support any civil nuclear maritime pathway.
“The maritime energy transition will require the industry to examine a range of future fuel and propulsion pathways,” said Meg Albrecht, senior engineer for nuclear technology and alternative fuels at Lloyd’s Register.
“This work contributes to a broader understanding of the regulatory and operational considerations associated with nuclear-powered vessels and helps establish a structured basis for further discussion and analysis.”
The study highlighted that current European maritime industry decarbonisation discussions remain focused on alternative fuels, with only limited consideration of high-density, zero-emission propulsion systems such as nuclear.
It said that major ports such as Rotterdam, along with maritime member states, would play an important role in shaping how nuclear propulsion is assessed and potentially integrated into future shipping strategies.
“Ports need to understand how emerging energy and shipping technologies may interact with future port operations and industrial systems,” said René de Vries, habour master of the Port of Rotterdam.
“This study represents an initial case study assessment intended to better understand the regulatory, operational and safety considerations associated with nuclear-powered commercial shipping within a European port context.”
Global shipping depends on fossil fuels for close to 99% of its energy consumption, but the International Maritime Organisation is aiming for the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by around 2050.
