Can nuclear power become the game-changer in decarbonizing commercial shipping? With unmatched energy density, zero operational greenhouse gas emissions, and long refueling intervals, nuclear propulsion, particularly through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs), offers capabilities far beyond conventional and alternative fuels.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies consistently demonstrate nuclear’s superior carbon performance per kilowatt-hour, while innovative models such as Reactor-as-a-Service (RaaS) could reduce ownership risks and make nuclear propulsion a practical option for shipowners navigating future carbon regulations.
Yet significant challenges remain before nuclear power can set sail at scale. Public acceptance, regulatory harmonization, and the high upfront capital costs continue to hinder adoption, even as safety assessments show low accident probabilities. Building trust will require international governance, demonstration projects in green corridors, applications of artificial intelligence (AI), and integration with other innovations like fusion energy and digital technologies.
By addressing these barriers, nuclear propulsion could emerge as a cornerstone of net-zero shipping and reshape the trajectory of maritime decarbonization.
Abstract from the research paper that Maria Athena Papathanasiou coauthored with academic colleagues and experts and was briefly reported at the Hydra Shipping Conference in September 2025. This paper will be presented at the Institute of Energy for South – East Europe (IENE) by the author, Mr. Ioannis Chalaris* and Ms. Maria Athena Papathanasiou, member of IENE.
*Lead author of the study, PhD Researcher at the University of Strathclyde UK, Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, member of IENE.
