5 Aug 2025
The article presents nuclear propulsion as the most realistic and sustainable solution for decarbonizing large deep-sea commercial shipping. It critiques widely promoted alternatives like biofuels and e-fuels, arguing they are not scalable and pose serious environmental and logistical challenges. Biofuels require vast land conversion, threatening ecosystems, while e-fuels demand enormous energy inputs—up to four times the current electricity production in Europe and North America. Building enough renewable infrastructure would require extensive mining and land use, generating waste and pollution.
Even if e-fuels were produced using nuclear energy, onboard storage remains problematic due to safety risks and limited space. In contrast, nuclear propulsion offers unmatched energy density, allowing ships to operate for up to 25 years without refueling. These vessels would emit no greenhouse gases, reduce fuel costs, and enable faster transit, potentially replacing two to three conventional ships with one larger, more efficient nuclear-powered vessel.
Though concerns around safety, regulation, and public perception persist, the technology has a long track record in military and icebreaker applications. Once regulatory frameworks are updated and safety standards established, nuclear propulsion could revolutionize commercial shipping. For large vessels, it offers a compelling business case: lower operating costs, reduced crew requirements, and a zero-emission future without sacrificing performance or scale. To read more