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Companies are striving to master offshore nuclear power technology. Currently, more than 200 nuclear reactors are in operation on board ships, generating energy in the oceans.
Core Power, a nuclear startup, is teaming up with Lloyd's Register and the shipping giant Maersk, to explore how fourth-generation nuclear power at sea could be the key to the future of carbon-free cargo ships. The initiative aims to modernize regulations and overcome technical challenges, aiming to introduce this deep-sea nuclear power technology into global shipping within the next 15 years.
This collaboration not only seeks to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also promises to redefine energy efficiency and safety standards in the sector. With increasingly strict international regulations regarding carbon emissions, the adoption of nuclear energy on the high seas appears as a viable and necessary solution to meet global environmental goals.
The use of compact and safe nuclear reactors could allow ships to operate for long periods without needing to refuel, reducing operational costs and increasing logistical efficiency.
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Discover the first nuclear ship
On July 21, 1959, the ship NS Savannah marked the beginning of a new era in commercial shipping. Built at an astronomical cost of US$46,9 million (equivalent to US$495 million in 2024) as part of the “Atoms for Peace” program of the administration of American President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the vessel was a demonstrator, designed to show how nuclear energy at sea could be used in peaceful commercial operations.
Despite being a masterpiece of nautical engineering and a fine example of atomic age aesthetics, the Savannah only served from 1962 to 1972 before being retired. She is currently a museum ship in Baltimore, Maryland.
So far, only four nuclear cargo ships have been developed, and only one, the Sevmorput, is still in operation in Russia, serving Arctic trade routes. The market for these ships never materialized due to high life cycle costs, the need for highly trained crews, and the lack of port infrastructure for nuclear vessels.
How is nuclear energy technology at sea today?
However, the marine industry is changing in light of the need for carbon neutrality by 2050. It is estimated that the sector will burn 300 million tons of fossil fuels per year, generating 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Several alternatives are being explored, but nuclear power, in the form of fourth-generation reactors, is seen by many companies as the most practical solution.
Currently, There are around 200 active nuclear reactors on 160 military ships and submarines around the world., with a great safety record. However, these military reactors are not suitable for civilian ships, mainly due to safety concerns.
Therefore, companies like Terra Power of the US, Britain's Newcleo and Core Power, Norway's NuProShip, Italy's Fincantieri and Japan's Imabari Shipbuilding are investing in a deep-sea nuclear power reactor for large container ships and similar vessels.
Challenges encountered in the production of nuclear energy at sea
The proposed reactors are similar to the advanced modular reactors being developed for terrestrial use. Among the most promising models are the thorium-fueled molten salt reactor, the lead-cooled fast reactor, and the helium gas-cooled ball bed reactor.
These reactors do not need to be sealed in pressure vessels like traditional commercial reactors. They are less complex, operate at lower temperatures and are inherently safe, with self-regulating nuclear reactions and coolants that solidify in the event of an accident.
Despite the technical challenges to be overcome, the regulatory issue is the most complicated for the consortium led by Lloyd's Register. In this way, partners are not only focused on creating the best technical and commercial justification for fourth-generation offshore nuclear-powered vessels, but also on how to align or update existing regulations to make these vessels key players in the next decade and a half.
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