A new joint development project study carried out by A.P. Moller – Maersk, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Lloyd’s Register and CORE POWER has found that existing port safety and risk-management frameworks could provide a credible starting point for assessing nuclear-powered commercial ship calls within a major European port environment.
The Enabling Nuclear-Powered Feeder Ships: A Joint Development Project on Port Call Feasibility and Regulatory Pathways report argues that maritime nuclear propulsion should be evaluated as part of wider discussions around shipping decarbonisation, energy resilience, and long-term industrial competitiveness, with the Port of Rotterdam serving as a case study to examine how emerging energy and shipping technologies could interact with existing port safety frameworks, operations, and regulatory processes.
“Ports need to understand how emerging energy and shipping technologies may interact with future port operations and industrial systems. This study represents an initial case-study assessment intended to better understand the regulatory, operational and safety considerations associated with nuclear-powered commercial shipping within a European port context,” said René de Vries, Harbour Master of the Port of Rotterdam.
The study concludes that existing risk-based safety frameworks already familiar to European ports could provide a credible framework, provided nuclear-specific safety, security, and operational considerations are systematically integrated and supported by appropriate national and international guidance.
According to the findings, the primary challenges for future maritime nuclear propulsion are likely to centre on regulatory alignment, governance, integration between nuclear and maritime safety regimes, and public and institutional preparedness. For example, current International Maritime Organization (IMO) provisions relating to nuclear-powered ships were developed for an earlier era and require modernisation to support any future civil commercial nuclear propulsion pathway.
“Shipping’s long-term energy transition will require the consideration of multiple fuel and technology pathways. Civil commercial nuclear propulsion presents a number of significant challenges, including safety, waste management, regulatory alignment and public acceptance across regions,” said Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at A.P. Moller – Maersk.
“This study does not represent a decision to pursue nuclear propulsion, but contributes to further understanding of what would be required for ports and authorities to assess such vessels in a structured and responsible way. We continue to monitor and assess this technology alongside other low-emission solutions.”
