Emissions crisis prompts a look at nuclear-powered solutions

Maritime design firm explores nuclear option: Concerns regarding shipping’s outsized carbon emissions have spurred UK-based Core Power — in partnership with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Southern Co — to develop nuclear-powered cargo vessels, Bloomberg reports. Core Power aims to launch a fission-powered ship by 2035.

What’s the catch? Commercial ships with nuclear capabilities may fall prey to sabotage and piracy, opening the door for a potential international nuclear disaster, scientist-in-residence at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies George Moore told Bloomberg. Ins. companies are also likely to balk at insuring the ships, which would rack up exorbitant costs in the event of an accident. Pending an overhaul to the regulatory landscape, a transition to nuclear power could also face resistance from civilian ports, who may refuse to allow such ships to dock.

REMEMBER- The clock is ticking on the International Maritime Organization’s ratification of its net-zero framework next October, introducing new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions in the shipping industry. If ratified, changes will take effect by 2027 and apply to ships over 5k gross tons, covering 85% of international shipping emissions.