SIMIC

DANISH shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has partnered with Lloyd's Register (LR) and UK-based nuclear start-up Core Power in a study assessing nuclear-powered container shipping regulatory feasibility in Europe, reports Hull's Nuclear Engineering International.

The 12-month study, beginning in September, will explore the regulatory frameworks and safety requirements for a nuclear-powered containership with a fourth-generation reactor to operate in European ports.



The study aims to enhance operational and regulatory understanding of nuclear power in shipping, providing insights for maritime stakeholders considering atomic energy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.



This initiative follows the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) new targets, set in July 2023, to reach net-zero emissions by around 2050.



The study will help shape the future of nuclear power in the maritime industry by combining LR's maritime expertise, Core Power's advanced nuclear technology, and Maersk's shipping experience.



"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 Register CEO Nick Brown.



"A multi-fuel pathway to decarbonizing 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."