- LR report assesses the opportunity presented by nuclear for commercial maritime given its proven track record in naval applications, with the study pointing to the role of new small modular reactors.
- The report outlines the vital importance of adopting stringent safety protocols to prioritise the protection of seafarers and the environment.
The rise of small modular reactors (SMRs) points to a step change for nuclear applications in shipping if regulatory hurdles can be overcome, classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) said in a new report.
Fuel for Thought: Nuclear report
Nuclear power could transform the maritime industry with emissions-free shipping, whilst extending the life cycle of vessels and removing the uncertainty of fuel and refuelling infrastructure development but regulation and safety considerations must be addressed for its widespread commercial adoption, according to the “Fuel for Thought: Nuclear report”.
The report assesses the opportunity presented by nuclear for commercial maritime given its proven track record in naval applications, with the study pointing to the role of new SMRs in bringing to market suitable low-maintenance reactors to meet the propulsion and energy requirements of commercial ships.
As explained, the commercial relationships between shipowners and energy producers will be altered as power is likely to be leased from reactor owners, separating the shipowner from the complexities of licensing and operating nuclear technology. SMRs are said to represent ‘a leap forward’ in reactor design, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and modularity for streamlined production.
As SMR technology matures and regulatory clarity increases, ship designs optimized for nuclear propulsion will emerge, ushering in a new era of efficient and environmentally friendly vessels.
The report outlines the vital importance of adopting stringent safety protocols to prioritize the protection of seafarers and the environment. It suggests that for novel designs and nuclear technology in the short-term, LR’s Risk Based Certification (RBC) could provide an approach for first movers to certify their projects by demonstrating an equivalent level of safety to that achieved with conventional oil-fueled systems.
According to Fuel for Thought: Nuclear, technology readiness for nuclear is improving, as per the most recent update of the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub’s Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor with pressurized water reactors (PWR), micro reactors and molten salt reactors (MSR) emerging as some of the most promising technologies for maritime applications.
However, community readiness levels (CRL), which are affected by the public’s perception of nuclear power and investment readiness levels (IRL) remain low due to the uncertainties around the wider uptake of nuclear technology in commercial shipping.
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Source: Lloyd’s Register
