The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the application of nuclear technology in commercial shipping, including nuclear-powered vessels, floating power generation and the infrastructure required to support the sector.
The agreement covers concept and feasibility studies for floating nuclear power and nuclear transportation corridors, alongside work to develop the US shipbuilding industry’s capacity to build and operate nuclear-powered vessels and other maritime assets.
ABS will co-manage the Maritime Nuclear Applications Group (MNAG) and provide technical, regulatory, economic and policy support for feasibility studies. It will also coordinate related work through the US Maritime Administration’s US Center for Maritime Innovation, for which ABS serves as Secretariat.
The partnership will support coordination between government agencies as the US develops a domestic maritime nuclear sector, with DOE leading government initiatives in this area.
“Advanced nuclear technology is moving from concept to application, and the maritime industry needs to be ready for it,” said John McDonald, ABS chairman and chief executive.
ABS has previously published classification rules for floating nuclear power plants and issued approvals in principle for several nuclear projects.
