Nuclear shipping depends on global climate policy

UCL research finds nuclear-powered container ships could compete on cost only with cheaper reactors and effective global emissions policies

Nuclear propulsion could become a cost-competitive option for container shipping, but only if reactor costs fall significantly and an effective global emissions policy supports investment, according to new research from University College London’s (UCL) Energy Institute.

The report, ‘Nuclear Reactors for Merchant Shipping: A Total Cost of Ownership Assessment of a Low-Carbon Pathway’, compares nuclear-powered large container ships with conventional fuel oil and dual-fuel ammonia alternatives, assessing costs under different policy and reactor-price scenarios.

Farah Bziker, researcher at UCL’s Shipping and Oceans Research Group, said: “Nuclear can compete, but only with much cheaper reactors and a global emissions policy, and neither exists yet. How both develop over the coming years will decide whether nuclear has a place in shipping.”

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