The rise of small modular reactors points to a step change for nuclear applications in shipping if regulatory hurdles can be overcome, as highlighted by Lloyd’s Register’s recent report on nuclear applications.
As explained, 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, reveals Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Fuel for Thought: Nuclear report.
What is nuclear?
Nuclear reactors harness the thermal energy released through controlled nuclear fission to generate heat which can be converted to a mix of electrical,
mechanical, or thermal power.
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 small modular reactors (SMRs) in bringing to market suitable low-maintenance reactors to meet the propulsion and energy requirements of commercial ships.
According to the report, 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 represent a leap forward in reactor design, emphasising safety, efficiency, and modularity for streamlined production. As SMR technology matures and regulatory clarity increases, ship designs optimised 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 prioritise 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-fuelled systems.
The UK Merchant Shipping (Nuclear Ships) Regulations
The Merchant Shipping (Nuclear Ships) Regulations 2022 came into force late in 2022 alongside a Marine Guidance Note on nuclear ships, MGN 679 (M).
The rules effectively transpose SOLAS Chapter VIII and the nuclear code into UK law, and as such it is limited to considering pressurised water reactors. The
regulation and MGN give an idea of the role national governments may expect to play in the adoption of nuclear powered shipping.
Some notable contents include:
- The nuclear reactor installation for a United Kingdom nuclear ship must be approved by the MCA before construction of the ship commences.
- The Nuclear Code is based on pressurised light water type reactors. Other types of reactors will require special considerations and may be approved by the MCA on a case-by-case basis.
- The safety assessment and the voyage plan of a nuclear-powered ship must have been notified to the MCA at least 12 months before the arrival of the ship in United Kingdom waters, including a United Kingdom port.
- A nuclear-powered ship should be designed, constructed, tested, inspected, operated and decommissioned under a Quality Assurance Programme (QAP)
and at all stages in the ship’s life cycle, there should be a single organisation responsible for the management and control of the overall QAP. - A fully detailed operating manual should be prepared and continuously updated for the information and guidance of the operating personnel in their duties on all the matters relating to the operation of the nuclear power plant with a particular attention to safety.
- Where a nuclear ship is at a fixed-point mooring or alongside a berth, and where there is work on the ship involving ionising radiation, the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 apply.
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 pressurised 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.
Fuel for Thought: Nuclear represents one of the first easily accessible overviews on the use of nuclear power in shipping, combining information from a wide range of sources into one report tailored for commercial shipping and the wider maritime value chain.
…Mark Tipping, Power to X director, LR said.
Whilst its use in commercial shipping has been limited, by overcoming negative perceptions and a lack of investment levels, nuclear propulsion could provide immense value for the maritime sector in its decarbonisation journey, allowing for emissions free vessels with longer life cycles which require minimal refuelling infrastructure, or in best case scenarios limit the need entirely.
…Mark Tipping added.
Nuclear power has been considered a potential source of propulsion for shipping for several decades, primarily for large vessels such as cargo ships, tankers, and cruise ships. The idea of using nuclear power for shipping emerged during the 1950s with the introduction of the first nuclear-powered submarines.
In conclusion, nuclear power can be seen as a transformational technology rather than an incremental or even step change improvement. It will not be a direct replacement for oil-fired systems like some alternative fuels, but rather a primary catalyst to fundamentally reshape the shipping industry. Part of the transformation would be safer, more reliable, emissions free, longer-lived, and more productive ships. Another part of the transformation will be in the ship operator’s structure, including technical management, procurement, approach to quality, and an elevated safety culture.
