Maersk joins US-UK partnership to study transatlantic nuclear shipping corridor

Danish shipping company Maersk has joined forces with Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the ports of Charleston and Felixstowe in a partnership to investigate the feasibility of a nuclear-powered shipping route between the United States and the United Kingdom. This research project aims to explore the operational, regulatory, and security aspects of deploying a nuclear-powered commercial vessel between the Port of Charleston in the US and the Port of Felixstowe in the UK.

The initial phase of the project will involve a thorough examination of the hypothetical requirements for safe nuclear vessel operations, encompassing port handling, nuclear safeguards, emergency response protocols, and cybersecurity measures. Furthermore, the partners will delve into the potential avenues for insuring such vessels and how current maritime and nuclear regulations would need to harmonize.

The study will pinpoint any regulatory and operational gaps that may necessitate additional attention, with the ultimate goal of paving the way for a subsequent phase that delves deeper into technical, legal, security, and safeguards considerations.

Nick Gross, LR's global containerships segment director, emphasized that this collaborative endeavor aims to address the security and safety protocols essential for the secure operation of nuclear-powered vessels. The partnership represents a significant step towards harnessing nuclear technology for more sustainable maritime practices, aligning with broader US-UK cooperation under the Technology Prosperity Deal.

This agreement encompasses exploring nuclear applications in commercial shipping and the potential establishment of a nuclear-powered corridor linking the two nations.

The collaboration builds on prior work by LR, nuclear technology firm CORE POWER, and Maersk. In 2024, LR and CORE POWER initiated a regulatory assessment, and Maersk subsequently participated in a joint development project focused on the safety, operational, and regulatory requirements of advanced nuclear technology applications in container ships.

Additionally, CORE POWER has signed a pact with the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to evaluate the viability of constructing commercial nuclear-powered vessels by 2028.