International shipping faces the challenge of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Modern small modular reactors (SMRs) could be an underestimated, moonshot idea for large merchant ships.
Although the technology is ready, it would require high investment costs and the right regulation. Unresolved issues around the fuel cycle, disposal, and international regulations are slowing things down. Pauline Leroi from Future Cleantech Architects suggests a possible business model: an external operator could own and run the reactor, so shipping companies would face lower upfront costs while responsibility for fuel, operation and disposal could be outsourced.
Learn more about nuclear for shipping in this month’s article from Handelsblatt:
This article is the latest in the series “Green ideas that might change the world” that Handelsblatt and Future Cleantech Architects co-developed to shed light on some of the most intensively debated cleantech innovations. We are pleased to provide scientific guidance to the series. Stay tuned for new releases!