The Week in Alt Fuels: Uncle Sam’s nuclear push

The Trump administration is giving nuclear-powered shipping a boost, yet regulatory, liability, and safety hurdles remain between ambition and commercial deployment. The U.S. aims to include nuclear energy in shipping's future fuel mix. Ahead of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in April-May, Washington submitted a proposal advocating for an "energy-all" approach, which does not restrict current or emerging fuel types, including nuclear, biomass-based fuels, or any other marine propulsion technology.

The push goes beyond policy statements. The U.S. Department of Transportation and its Maritime Administration have sought industry input on developing commercially viable small modular reactors (SMRs) for U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. They proposed two pathways: a 10-year route focusing on governance first, and an accelerated seven-year option.

Core Power, a nuclear technology developer, backs the faster approach, suggesting regulation, engineering, and commercial planning should progress together. They propose using established light-water reactor technology, selecting early shipping routes, and securing follow-on vessel orders. Two U.S. ports, Long Beach and Corpus Christi, are exploring how to integrate SMRs into shore power infrastructure and port micro-grids.

Corpus Christi's port authority is further studying two tracks: siting a floating nuclear power plant at the port and preparing for routine routine berthing of nuclear-powered ships. Federal regulators are working to establish a framework for nuclear-powered ships, floating nuclear power plants, and other commercial applications.

Several private companies are investing in the technology. Hornbeck Offshore, a U.S. offshore vessel operator, has invested in the nuclear startup Deployable Energy to evaluate its micro-reactors for various applications. Core Power is assessing technical, operational, regulatory, and economic requirements for using an SMR developed by BWX Technologies on floating nuclear power plants.

The American Bureau of Shipping released a nuclear-ready notation for ships, barges, and offshore units, considering space allocation, structural arrangements, system interfaces, safety features, and other design elements needed for future nuclear conversion. Despite the progress, the biggest hurdle for commercial nuclear shipping is proving the technology can work safely and securely.

Marine insurers warn that there is currently no established IMO liability convention for nuclear-powered vessels, preventing risks from securing reinsurance globally. The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has acknowledged that the existing code on nuclear propulsion is outdated and poses a barrier to newer technologies. The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization plans to publish guidance on insurability and port governance by 2027 and a global pilot framework by 2030.

Ultimately, a clear regulatory pathway, an agreed liability regime, updated safety rules, and a credible timeline will determine whether the U.S. nuclear shipping push moves from plans and concepts to commercial reality.