Ports have been urged to begin planning for advanced nuclear technology in a joint paper from classification society Lloyd’s Register and the British Ports Association (BPA).
The report, Advanced Nuclear Technology Use Within Port Environments, sets out a practical readiness pathway for ports considering nuclear-powered vessels, floating power and small modular reactors.
Specifically, the new joint paper examines three potential applications: nuclear-powered ship calls, floating or transportable nuclear power units, and land-based small modular reactors or microreactors to power port operations and support fuel production.
The report finds that the most significant barriers are not solely technical. It identifies regulatory alignment, governance, emergency preparedness, liability, insurance, workforce capability and public confidence as key requirements for safe and commercially viable deployment.
Ports are advised to integrate nuclear scenarios into existing marine safety-management systems.
In accordance with the paper, existing disciplines used to manage dangerous goods, hazardous cargoes, security zones and high-consequence operations provide a strong foundation, but will need additional nuclear-specific evidence, competence, monitoring and regulatory interfaces.
The paper calls for cooperation among ports, governments, regulators, classification societies, insurers and developers to clarify responsibilities.
LR and BPA recommend early engagement with regulators, assessment of future energy demand and grid constraints, and stakeholder coordination before committing significant capital.
“Advanced nuclear may not be the right solution for every port, but it is important that the sector understands the potential applications and starts asking the right questions early on,” said Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at BPA.”
