Study to assess scope for nuclear feeders
Lloyd’s Register (LR), Core Power and Maersk have signed a joint development project (JDP) agreement to study the safety and regulatory considerations for a next-generation nuclear container feeder ship to operate in Europe.
The joint study will assess the need for updated safety rules and an improved operational and regulator framework for the application of nuclear power in container shipping. The study will also provide insight to parties in the maritime value chain who are exploring the business case for nuclear power and its possible use as part of their net-zero emissions targets.
The study will combine the classification society’s knowledge of nuclear power in maritime, Core Power’s experience of developing nuclear energy technology for maritime applications, an unnamed port authority, and Maersk’ experience in shipping and logistics.
The JDP will focus on so-called fourth-generation reactors. These are much safer than earlier reactor designs because they incorporate features that prevent the release of radioactive materials in an accident or breakdown. They are also more efficient, with higher conversion rates of nuclear fuel to electricity. They produce less waste and can use nuclear waste as fuel. And they have the potential to be used in a wide range of applications, including sea transport, remote locations, and microgrids.
Nick Brown, LR’s CEO, explained: “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. 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’s CEO, Mikal Bøe, said: “There’s no net-zero without nuclear. 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 three of Europe’s most respected industry participants to set out the conditions for how this can be achieved.”
Head of Fleet Technology at Maersk, Ole Graa Jakobsen, commented: “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.
“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 ten to 15 years in the future. Therefore, we continue to monitor and assess this technology, along with all other low emission solutions,” he added.
