Ian TaylorA whitepaper published this month by the New Energies Coalition has concluded that: ‘With concerted efforts from all stakeholders, nuclear energy has the potential to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of shipping and port operations, marking a new era in sustainable maritime transportation.’
The report draws upon the findings of a work group whose members include: the classification society Bureau Veritas, shipowner CMA CGM, PSA International and ONET.
It looks at how nuclear power, including emerging small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, could be deployed for marine propulsion, coastal near-shore power generation, and on-land energy production within port premises.
In a statement issued today (22 April), BV said that the study suggests that ‘a plausible timeline point[s] to potential commercial deployment of Gen IV [fourth generation] nuclear-powered vessels by 2040–2045’.
However, the study found that there are ‘four critical areas [which] require further analysis and development’: radioactive waste management; crew training and qualifications; cybersecurity; and insurance and shared liability.
Click here to access the whitepaper, The role of nuclear in shipping decarbonization.
Image: Shutterstock
Rhys Berry
