Lloyd’s Register unveils roadmap for nuclear-powered shipping

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released what it describes as the first comprehensive roadmap to guide the safe and responsible adoption of nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping.

The document, titled Navigating Nuclear Energy in Maritime, has been developed in collaboration with Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP) and marine insurer NorthStandard. It provides a structured pathway for shipowners, operators, and regulators to explore the use of nuclear energy — covering every stage from regulatory approval and vessel design to insurance mechanisms and crew competency.

As the maritime industry seeks long-term, zero-carbon solutions, LR believes nuclear technology — particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) — could offer a viable route to deep-sea decarbonisation. However, the classification society cautioned that a global framework governing safety, regulation, and liability is still absent.

The guidance highlights the roles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling for closer alignment between nuclear and maritime regulatory standards. It addresses critical aspects such as safety classification, structural integrity, environmental impact, and the development of nuclear safety cases. The roadmap also details measures for both physical and cyber security, alongside operational and financial requirements like emergency response planning, crew qualifications, and insurance models.

NorthStandard contributed insights on insurance and liability, noting the current challenges of covering nuclear-related risks under existing P&I pooling systems.

Mark Tipping, LR’s Global Power to X Director, said nuclear propulsion could become a “scalable and zero-carbon” energy option for shipping if supported by strong cooperation between regulators, operators, insurers, and the public.

According to LR, the new framework builds on its earlier Fuel for Thought: Nuclear research and aims to assist early adopters in navigating the complex technical, safety, and financial challenges of bringing nuclear-powered vessels to sea.