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Regulations and training key to realising nuclear’s great promise
New-generation modular nuclear reactors offer the potential for zero-emissions operation but international regulatory, certification and training standards must be developed
As the backbone of global trade, international shipping plays a pivotal role in the world economy, transporting more than 80% of the world’s traded goods by sea. But this comes at a high environmental cost, with ships producing nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to its reliance on heavy fuel oil and fossil fuels.
With shipping under increasing regulatory and societal pressure to reduce its GHG and CO2 emissions, several low- and zero-carbon alternative fuels are being considered; one that is garnering renewed interest is nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy has been propelling military, icebreakers and some research vessels for over six decades, but this technology cannot necessarily be shared with the commercial maritime industry.
But Core Power chief executive, Mikal Boe, points out that a new generation of low- or no-pressure reactors will be the future of commercial maritime shipping propulsion. One such technology is a molten salt reactor, which Mr Boe says shows great promise for commercial shipping.
“Vessel owners can start to look at energy as a fixed-asset investment”
“If you have liquid fuel, instead of a fuel rod, you could filter the impurities and reintroduce fresh fuel as a liquid into the reactor, and then the tanks will always be full. If the tank is always full, you have the same energy at the end of the vessel life as you had at the beginning. That means the fuel has a residual value,” explains Mr Boe.
This has implications for a shipowner’s commercial cost structure. “If you had 100 megawatts worth of energy in the beginning worth US$400M, and you use that for, say, 25 years, you still have 100 megawatts. If you drain that liquid out and use it in the next generation of reactors, as a vessel owner you can start to look at energy as a fixed-asset investment and not as an opex,” he says.
The concept highlights an innovative approach to considering the energy used in nuclear propulsion as a fixed-asset investment, which holds a residual value. This approach aligns with the long-term operational lifespan of nuclear-powered vessels, presenting a stark contrast to traditional ships that require frequent refuelling. Furthermore, maintaining a consistent energy level by topping up with fresh fuel over the vessel’s lifetime can turn energy from a depreciating asset into a potentially appreciating one, due to inflation and the finite nature of the energy source.
Another potential source of financial benefit with nuclear power is its ability to produce electricity via steam turbines. A reactor on board acts as the fuel tank. That electricity is then stored in batteries and capacitors and can be used for hotel load and cargo gear, as well as for propulsion, etc. You can also consider reverse cold ironing. If a vessel is at a berth with the facility for cold ironing, the ship could potentially sell power to the port whilst it is alongside — cold ironing in reverse.
Several concepts have been proposed for nuclear power barges and ships that incorporate molten salt reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs).
Regulatory update needed
The existing IMO code of safety for nuclear merchant ships, Resolution A.491(XII), represents a significant step towards regulating nuclear-powered shipping. However, this code requires comprehensive updates to keep pace with advancements in nuclear technology and evolving safety standards. Such revisions should incorporate current best practices in nuclear safety, operational procedures, and emergency preparedness, reflecting the unique challenges and requirements of nuclear propulsion at sea.
The transition to nuclear energy in maritime shipping would not merely be a technological shift but a transformation that will impact regulatory, safety, and human factors. Training for ship operators, integration within existing maritime frameworks, and addressing public and environmental safety concerns will be challenging. As the maritime industry eyes the potential of nuclear-powered shipping, a critical pillar supporting this transition is the development of rigorous training programmes and certification processes. These initiatives are essential to ensure the workforce is adequately prepared to manage and operate nuclear propulsion systems with the highest safety and efficiency standards.
The expertise and training of those operating and managing these nuclear-powered vessels is fundamental to the successful and safe adoption of nuclear energy in the maritime industry. The path forward involves technological innovation and a comprehensive rethinking of training, regulation, and international collaboration to usher in a new era of sustainable maritime transport.
It is highly likely that the usual complement of seafarers would still operate the nuclear ships of the future, but with an additional one or two highly trained personnel onboard to monitor the reactor during service.
Given the specialised nature of nuclear propulsion, training programmes must be tailored to the specific type of reactor technology utilised aboard ships. This implies a detailed understanding of the reactor’s operational characteristics, safety protocols, and emergency response procedures. Though not yet implemented, IMO’s adoption of a code of safety for nuclear merchant ships underscores the necessity of such specialised training.
A key aspect of training and certification must be the establishment of global standards and the mutual recognition of certifications across jurisdictions. This would facilitate the seamless operation of nuclear-powered merchant ships worldwide, ensuring that crew members certified in one country are recognised as qualified in others. It would also streamline the process for shipowners and operators to comply with international regulations, promoting a uniform standard of safety and expertise in the nuclear maritime sector.
Nuclear-powered shipping will require shipowners and operators to fully understand nuclear propulsion systems, including knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, radiation protection, emergency procedures, and the maintenance of nuclear reactors. A leasing arrangement for nuclear plants might simplify execution duties, but it will not diminish the shipowner’s responsibility for safe operation.
Training programmes akin to those operated by nuclear navies are essential for cultivating the required expertise among civilian maritime personnel to cover the specificities of reactor operation and safety protocols; regulatory compliance would be mandatory. Moreover, they must be tailored to the unique characteristics of each reactor model used for propulsion, ensuring that crew members are fully prepared for the specific systems onboard their vessels.
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