Danish shipping group AP Moller – Maersk has agreed to join a study by maritime services firm Lloyd’s Register (LR) and UK-based nuclear start-up Core Power, in a regulatory assessment study of possible nuclear-powered container shipping in Europe. The study will look at the regulatory feasibility and frameworks that would need to be established for a nuclear container ship using a fourth-generation reactor to undertake cargo operations at a port in Europe.
It will investigate the requirements for updated safety rules along with the improved operational and regulatory understanding that is needed for the application of nuclear power in container shipping. The study, which will last for 12 months starting in September, will also provide insight for members of the maritime value chain who are exploring the business case for nuclear power in order to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. In July 2023, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved new targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, aiming to reach net-zero emissions by, or around, 2050.
The study will bring together the expertise of LR as a trusted adviser to the maritime industry, Core Power’s experience in designing advanced nuclear energy technology for maritime applications, a leading Port Authority and Maersk’s experience in shipping and logistics.
“The initiation of this joint study marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards unlocking the potential of nuclear power in the maritime industry, paving the way for emissions-free operations, more agile service networks and greater efficiency through the supply chain,” said Lloyd’s Register CEO Nick Brown. “A multi-fuel pathway to decarbonising the maritime industry is crucial to ensuring we as an industry meet the IMO’s emission reduction targets, and nuclear propulsion shows signs of playing a key role in this energy transition.”
Core Power CEO Mikal Bøe said there is no net-zero without nuclear. Core Power is developing and promoting molten salt reactors for use in maritime and floating power solutions. “A critical key to unlocking the vast potential for nuclear energy to transform how the maritime sector is powered, is the standards framework for commercial insurability of floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered ships that would operate in nearshore environments, ports, and waterways. We’re immensely pleased to be working with some of Europe’s most respected industry participants to set out the conditions for how this can be achieved.”
Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk, said: “Since Maersk launched its energy transition strategy in 2018, we have continuously explored diverse low emission energy options for our assets. Nuclear power holds a number of challenges related to, for example, safety, waste management, and regulatory acceptance across regions, and so far, the downsides have clearly outweighed the benefits of the technology.” He added: “If these challenges can be addressed by development of the new so-called fourth-generation reactor designs, nuclear power could potentially mature into another possible decarbonisation pathway for the logistics industry 10 to 15 years in the future. Therefore, we continue to monitor and assess this technology, along with all other low emission solutions.”
Shipping transports an estimated 11bn tonnes of goods, or 90%t of world trade every year, and accounts for around 1,076m tonnes of CO2 emissions. In December last year five leading global shipping lines to sign a joint declaration during COP28 in Dubai calling for an end date for fossil-only powered new-builds and urging the IMO to accelerate the transition to green fuels.
