SIBCON 2024: Maersk Keeps an Open Mind on Nuclear Propulsion
Container shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk is open to the possibility of using nuclear propulsion on its ships when the technology becomes commercially available to the shipping industry.
“At Maersk we look very broadly at our decarbonisation options, at fuels, electricity, also nuclear,” Mazhari said.
“I would say, could [nuclear] be an option potentially, for certain types of ships and on certain routes?
“Potentially, but we’re certainly not there yet. I think here we’re talking very long-term adoption.”
In August nuclear technology firm Core Power announced a a joint development project deal with Lloyd’s Register to undertake a nuclear propulsion feasibility study. Maersk will join that study, which will look into the regulatory feasibility and frameworks that would need to be established for a nuclear container ship using a fourth-generation reactor to undertake cargo operations at a European port.
Core Power has said it expects to receive the first orders for nuclear reactors from the shipping industry before the end of this decade, with orders for floating power plants likely to emerge first before being followed by orders for use in propulsion.
