Branch Technical Meeting – St Lawrence Branch
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?
Atlantic Branch Supports Canadian Coast Guard College
Award Ceremony at the Canadian Coast Guard College
The Atlantic Branch was proud to present an award to the Canadian Coast Guard College, which was awarded to Mr. Daniel Paquet, a member of the Class of 2025.
Daniel has had some great experiences so far, including two weeks sailing aboard the CCGS John Cabot, another two weeks on the CCGS Earl Grey, and is currently serving aboard the CCGS Amundsen.
Congratulations, Daniel — we look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next!
Branch Technical Meeting- Ottawa Branch
Welcoming You Back!
Branch Technical Presentation – Ottawa Island Branch
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2025
TIME: 1830 Eastern
Location: Danaca Board Room
at the Rideau Canal Junior Ranks Mess
4 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa
We are privileged to have MR. Mark Hall from Canadian Maritime Engineering (CME)
Presenting
Locations and Capabilities of CME’s Divisions
Coast to Coast
Mr. Hall is the General Manager of Canadian Maritime Engineering’s Central Canada Division, and he is a third-generation shipyard worker, starting his career on the West Coast in 1996. Beginning as a Laborer, Mark worked his way up to become a Dockmaster and then onto the role that he currently fills today. Mark’s experience has been gained with working with other companies within the industry, Point Hope Shipyard, Victoria Shipyards, Esquimalt Drydock Company, and CME. Mark has worked for CME in his current role for the last 13 years and has worked on a wide variety of vessel types, from Navy Frigates in the FELEX program, Coast Guard Heavy Icebreakers, to Self-unloading Lakers.
As always, our SNAME colleagues are invited to attend this paper and by this email I am asking Glenn Walters to circulate this email to the SNAME membership in Ottawa. Thank you, Glenn!
Access to the Danaca Board Room can be done through the side door of the building, up a short flight of stairs, through the door and turn right to the elevator, the Danaca room is on the third floor. Free parking is available and please park on the canal side of the parking lot.
Branch Meeting- Vancouver Island Branch
BACK TO NORMAL!
Branch Event – Vancouver Island Branch
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2025
TIME: 1900 PT
Location: NADEN LOWER WARDROOM
We are privileged to have Captain David (Duke) Snider with us, who will be giving a presentation on
“EVERYTHING ICEBREAKER & ARCTIC”
with a focus on
THE RV “MIRAI” 2024 ARCTIC RESEARCH VOYAGE
Captain Snider is an ice pilot and ice navigator with extensive voyage experience over the years in the Canadian Arctic, Antarctic, Baltic, and East Coast N. American waters, and has contributed to several regulatory and class societies’ work.
Given the rising interest in Arctic Sovereignty, and Canadian capabilities this should be a very interesting presentation.
The meeting will convene at 1900 on Wednesday, 15 October @ 1900, in the lower lounge of the Naden Officer’s Wardroom (near the dockyard entrance, at 1586 Esquimalt Rd).
Members often arrive early to share conversations with colleagues.
Spouses and guests are always welcome at our Branch meetings!
Meetings have a question and answer period at the end.