Branch Technical Meeting – St Lawrence Branch
March 10, 2026
DATE: TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2026
TIME: 12:00 Eastern
VIRTUAL: To Join the CLICK HERE
Core Power
Nuclear Shipping – Uncertainties in Perspective
presented by Max Charlwood, Marine Engineer
Abstract:
The international shipping industry needs a new energy mix to decarbonise. However, the industry is defined by its long ship lifetimes of 20-30 years, leaving profit margins vulnerable to changes in operating costs. This is why certainty is such an important word in the vocabulary of the shipping community and will carry much weight in choosing the fuels which make up the next generation shipping energy mix. Ultimately, ships owners need to know that the technology they choose today will be relevant and profitable for years to come.
Nuclear energy is a potential contender for large ships, which I will pitch to you through the lens of ‘uncertainty,’ giving comparison to some alternatives: methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia. I want to highlight some of the unique aspects of nuclear shipping and how these may affect your bottom line. This high-level presentation will look to establish a birds-eye view of the issue at hand, assessing levels of uncertainty by delving into the following questions:
- Carbon taxation – How much money would be saved avoiding carbon taxes? How certain are we that these will come into force?
- Speed and power – Why do nuclear ships with excess electrical and propulsive power command higher prices and reduce total fleet costs?
- Supply chains – Will there be enough of these fuels available at the right price?
- Experience – Can the workforce react to this change? How experienced are marine and nuclear regulators at working together and engineers at creating these products?
- Regulations and insurance – What are the legal, regulatory, and insurability barriers we face?