+
Maritime industry explores Nuclear Power for ships, faces challenges
PORTS & SHIPPING

Maritime industry explores Nuclear Power for ships, faces challenges

According to industry officials, the maritime sector is currently exploring the feasibility of employing nuclear fuel to power commercial ships, driven by technological advancements that are expanding the range of options available. Nevertheless, these officials noted that any potential adoption of nuclear fuel for ships is still a minimum of a decade away.

The shipping industry is under mounting pressure from both investors and environmentalists to identify cleaner fuel alternatives, such as ammonia, methanol, and wind, as it is responsible for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions.

While nuclear energy has been successfully used to power military submarines and icebreakers in the past, its utilisation in merchant ships has been hindered partly due to cost concerns and partly because insurers are cautious about providing coverage for ships entering commercial ports without a thorough understanding of the associated risks.

A survey conducted in May by the International Chamber of Shipping association indicated a growing interest in nuclear fuel compared to 2021, with some experts believing that nuclear-powered commercial ships could become feasible within the next decade. These envisioned ships would incorporate small, mass-produced reactors that are less powerful and consume less nuclear fuel than traditional nuclear facilities.

Fincantieri, an Italy-based shipbuilder, expressed interest in monitoring the development of these technologies, recognising their potential contribution to decarbonising ships, particularly cruise liners, naval vessels, and specialised ships—the core business of the company.

RINA, one of the world's top ship certification firms based in Italy, is actively studying the use of nuclear fuel and collaborating on a feasibility study with Fincantieri and a nuclear technology firm, as confirmed by RINA's CEO Ugo Salerno. Salerno suggested that container ships, which demand substantial power, could be one of the segments that could viably adopt nuclear fuel, albeit he estimated it would take at least seven to ten years before production becomes feasible.

Salerno also acknowledged the significant challenge of winning public opinion, considering concerns about the use of nuclear fuel. Concerns include the logistics of fitting a small reactor onto a ship, potential radiation exposure, and safeguards during vessel movement, vessel ownership, and the necessity for enhanced security at sea.

Additionally, UK-based CORE POWER is independently working on developing a prototype advanced molten salt nuclear reactor that uses liquid fuel instead of solid fuel. This approach eliminates the risk associated with conventional nuclear reactors, which primarily involves the loss of coolant, potentially leading to core overheating. CORE POWER aims to demonstrate its prototype sometime between 2032 and 2035, presenting a promising alternative for the maritime industry.

According to industry officials, the maritime sector is currently exploring the feasibility of employing nuclear fuel to power commercial ships, driven by technological advancements that are expanding the range of options available. Nevertheless, these officials noted that any potential adoption of nuclear fuel for ships is still a minimum of a decade away.The shipping industry is under mounting pressure from both investors and environmentalists to identify cleaner fuel alternatives, such as ammonia, methanol, and wind, as it is responsible for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions.While nuclear energy has been successfully used to power military submarines and icebreakers in the past, its utilisation in merchant ships has been hindered partly due to cost concerns and partly because insurers are cautious about providing coverage for ships entering commercial ports without a thorough understanding of the associated risks.A survey conducted in May by the International Chamber of Shipping association indicated a growing interest in nuclear fuel compared to 2021, with some experts believing that nuclear-powered commercial ships could become feasible within the next decade. These envisioned ships would incorporate small, mass-produced reactors that are less powerful and consume less nuclear fuel than traditional nuclear facilities.Fincantieri, an Italy-based shipbuilder, expressed interest in monitoring the development of these technologies, recognising their potential contribution to decarbonising ships, particularly cruise liners, naval vessels, and specialised ships—the core business of the company.RINA, one of the world's top ship certification firms based in Italy, is actively studying the use of nuclear fuel and collaborating on a feasibility study with Fincantieri and a nuclear technology firm, as confirmed by RINA's CEO Ugo Salerno. Salerno suggested that container ships, which demand substantial power, could be one of the segments that could viably adopt nuclear fuel, albeit he estimated it would take at least seven to ten years before production becomes feasible.Salerno also acknowledged the significant challenge of winning public opinion, considering concerns about the use of nuclear fuel. Concerns include the logistics of fitting a small reactor onto a ship, potential radiation exposure, and safeguards during vessel movement, vessel ownership, and the necessity for enhanced security at sea.Additionally, UK-based CORE POWER is independently working on developing a prototype advanced molten salt nuclear reactor that uses liquid fuel instead of solid fuel. This approach eliminates the risk associated with conventional nuclear reactors, which primarily involves the loss of coolant, potentially leading to core overheating. CORE POWER aims to demonstrate its prototype sometime between 2032 and 2035, presenting a promising alternative for the maritime industry.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

HAVER & BOECKER Marks a Century of Fascinating Engineering

HAVER & BOECKER is celebrating 100 years of the Machinery Division. It kicked off the year-long festivities in May by hosting customers and industry partners from around the globe for an anniversary event at its headquarters in Oelde, Germany. The occasion also commemorated milestones for two subsidiaries: 50 years of IBAU HAMBURG and 25 years of AML Anlagentechnik, highlighting HAVER & BOECKER’S enduring legacy and technological leadership.The anniversary celebrations will all feature a short reflection on the past before jumping into a showcase of continuous innovation and a clear ..

Next Story
Equipment

MYCRANE Launches Auction Tool to Make Crane Rental Faster

MYCRANE, the first global platform for online crane rental, has launched a powerful new MYCRANE Auction feature, designed to improve transparency, accelerate rentals and deliver greater value for both customers and suppliers. MYCRANE Auction supports multiple auction types—including reverse auctions, forward auctions, and sprint formats—giving customers full flexibility in how they engage with suppliers. At launch, the reverse auction format is expected to be the most commonly used, particularly for high-value, urgent, or competitive rental jobs. Accessible via the main rental pl..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

EVMS Raises Concern Over Illegal E-Rickshaw Operations

The Electric Vehicle Manufacturers' Society (EVMS), representing more than 200 organised and MSME EV manufacturers across India, held a press conference at the Press Club of India, highlighting two major challenges facing the country’s electric mobility sector. These include the widespread operation of illegal e-rickshaws and the sharp increase in low-quality imports. Shri Rajiv Tulli, General Secretary of EVMS and an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, led the session. He made a strong case for urgent policy action, regulatory clarity, and coordinated steps from all stakehold..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?