Can nuclear energy really be part of shipping's future?

Anthony Gardner, of the Britannia P&I Club, asks how realistic is it to expect nuclear fuel to become widespread across the maritime industry

Ships powered by emissions-free energy might seem like a fantasy, but this technology exists and is used worldwide in the form of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy has long been used in shipping. In 1954 a nuclear reactor was installed on USS Nautilus, marking the beginning of its successful use in military vessels, a legacy that continues to this day. While use in commercial shipping has been limited to experimental projects, such as NS Savannah (in service 1962 to 1972), or specialised roles such as ice-breakers, the concept has clear advantages as an energy source.