LR Report Offers Insight Into Nuclear Powered Shipping

27th August 2024

A new report titled "Fuel For Thought" undertaken by is stating that nuclear power holds the potential to revolutionise the maritime industry by enabling emissions-free shipping, extending vessel life cycles, and eliminating uncertainties related to fuel and refueling infrastructure. However, the widespread commercial adoption of nuclear power in shipping hinges on addressing critical regulatory and safety concerns, according to Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) "Fuel for Thought - Nuclear" report.

Nuclear power holds the potential to revolutionise the maritime industry by enabling emissions-free shipping, extending vessel life cycles, and eliminating uncertainties related to fuel and refueling infrastructure. However, the widespread commercial adoption of nuclear power in shipping hinges on addressing critical regulatory and safety concerns, according to Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) "Fuel for Thought: Nuclear" report.

Redefining Commercial Relationships
The report suggests that nuclear power could change the dynamics between shipowners and energy producers. Shipowners might lease power from reactor owners, thereby sidestepping the complexities of licensing and operating nuclear technology. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are highlighted as a significant advancement in reactor design, prioritising safety, efficiency, and modularity to facilitate streamlined production. As SMR technology evolves and regulatory frameworks become clearer, ship designs optimised for nuclear propulsion will likely emerge, heralding a new era of efficient and eco-friendly vessels.

Emphasising Safety Protocols
The report underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols to protect seafarers and the environment. It proposes that Lloyd’s Register’s Risk Based Certification (RBC) could be a viable approach for certifying novel designs and nuclear technology in the short term. This certification would demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to conventional oil-fueled systems, thus in theory, enabling first movers to certify their projects with confidence.

Advances in Nuclear Technology
According to "Fuel for Thought: Nuclear," the technological readiness of nuclear power is improving, as highlighted in the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub’s Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor. Promising technologies for maritime applications include pressurised water reactors (PWR), micro reactors, and molten salt reactors (MSR). However, community readiness levels (CRL) and investment readiness levels (IRL) remain low due to public perception and uncertainties surrounding the broader adoption of nuclear technology in commercial shipping.

The report concludes that while nuclear power has the potential to significantly decarbonise the maritime industry, overcoming regulatory, safety, and public perception challenges is crucial for its successful implementation. Currently over 160 ships are powered by more than 200 small nuclear reactors. Most are submarines, but they range from icebreakers to aircraft carriers.

The drive for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is gaining pace and there are a number of competing technologies offering to provide a solution and achieve climate change targets. It would be a fair assessment to state that no one single technology will solve the problem of climate change and most of the marine sector is moving towards greener options. Lloyd's Register Group Limited, trading as Lloyd's Register (LR), is a technical and professional services organisation and a maritime classification society.

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