The shipping industry is experiencing notable advancements in the adoption of nuclear technology, driven by technological innovations and increasing stakeholder support. According to the latest evaluation from the Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor, there is a positive trend in the readiness of various nuclear technology types, as well as interventions to bolster the case for nuclear investment in the maritime sector.
The Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, a collaboration between Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, conducted the expert-led assessment. The report highlights improvements in the readiness levels of nuclear-power technology, particularly with offshore applications gaining increasing validation. In reflection of the growing emphasis on the maritime industry, the Zero-Carbon Fuel Monitor evaluates five nuclear technology categories, including high temperature gas reactors and liquid metal cooled reactors, in addition to pressurized water reactors (PWRS), micro-reactors (heat pipes), and molten salt reactors.
The assessment also underscores the safety benefits of nuclear-power technology in onboard ship energy systems, addressing public safety concerns. Additionally, the report recognizes the potential environmental impact reduction through technologies that can recycle the “spent fuel” from PWRs. The practicality of offshore refuelling was demonstrated with the first refuelling of a floating nuclear power station at the Akademik Lomonosov platform in November 2023.
While technological advancements are evident, challenges persist in public perception and investment readiness levels. Community readiness levels are hampered by the overall negative public perception of the nuclear industry, and uncertainty around the wider uptake of nuclear technologies in commercial shipping is impacting investment readiness levels. However, as more evidence from testbed technological solutions becomes available, uncertainties in operation, costs, and safety aspects are expected to diminish.
Amelia Hipwell, Decarbonisation Innovation Manager for the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, highlighted the inherent advantage of nuclear power as a marine energy source, noting the ability of nuclear-powered ships to operate for many years without bunkering and potentially supply power to ports while docked. She stressed the need for collaboration between the nuclear and maritime industries to address issues impacting community and investment readiness, including regulatory uncertainties and public perception of security risk and safety.
Contributing to the ZCFM nuclear assessment, Chirayu Batra, Chief Technology Officer at Lucid Catalyst, emphasized nuclear power as a zero-carbon, reliable, and mature technology. He noted that nuclear technology readiness levels for Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) are on the upper range, with the fuel and technology already being used in floating nuclear power stations for supplying electricity offshore. The key challenge, he said, is to develop nuclear solutions specifically for large-scale commercial shipping.
Batra also emphasized the opportunity to create an enabling regulatory framework to decarbonize maritime shipping with the help of nuclear technology. He highlighted the role of classification societies like LR in enabling public understanding of the readiness, benefits, and challenges of adopting nuclear as a zero-carbon energy option in shipping.
Overall, the readiness of nuclear technology in the shipping industry is advancing, with the potential to significantly contribute to the decarbonization of maritime shipping in the future.