Shipping is a massive industry—almost 90% of global trade moves by sea—but it’s also a big polluter, responsible for about 3% of global carbon emissions. With pressure to go green, experts are looking at an old idea with a modern twist: nuclear-powered ships.
A recent report by Core Power, NorthStandard, and Lloyd’s Register argues that small nuclear reactors on ships, along with floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs), could help the UK hit its net-zero goals. The government is being urged to include nuclear ships in its Clean Maritime Plan, which could open up a £2.5 trillion opportunity for the UK’s maritime sector. That’s a pretty big deal.
The UK is already planning to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050, and nuclear ships are part of that roadmap. According to Lord Mountevans, the UK has the know-how to lead this movement, but it’ll need support from policymakers. FNPPs could even provide power to land-based grids, easing pressure on national energy infrastructure. But there are hurdles—especially around insurance and regulations. Paul Jennings from NorthStandard pointed out that making nuclear ships commercially viable will require solving these issues first.
Historically, nuclear-powered ships haven’t really taken off. Only four commercial ones have ever been built, like the NS Savannah from 1959. High costs, red tape, and public concerns have held them back. But now, with cleaner and safer nuclear technology being developed by companies like TerraPower and Newcleo, the idea is getting a second look.
So, could nuclear ships be the future of green shipping? Maybe. The technology is there, but whether the industry—and the public—embraces it is another story. Likewise, whenever we speak about energy. It goes hand in hand with the community aspect. When you come into the shop, you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Energy Live News. (2025). Nuclear-powered ships to save our seas? Available at: https://www.energylivenews.com/2025/02/28/nuclear-powered-ships-to-save-our-seas/
Google. (2025). Gemini (Imagen 3) [AI image generator]. https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/imagen
Business Norway. (2025). Future of nuclear-powered ships. Available at: https://businessnorway.com/articles/the-future-of-nuclear-powered-ships
