A nuclear heat pipe (low pressure micro-reactor) is a passive heat transfer device. Uranium is used as fuel to generate heat through a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction in the reactor core. The heat is transferred to a working fluid in the heat pipe. This heat can then be used for conversion to electrical power or direct thermal energy for heating purposes.
| Resources | Production |
Bunkering and ports (reactor refuelling and ports) |
Handling and storage onboard (reactor operation) |
Propulsion (reactor operation) |
| The supply of fuel resources for nuclear powered shipping comes from potentially two sources. The existing uranium supply chain and the a potential new thorium supply chain. | For nuclear powered shipping, production refers to production of both the fuel (enrichment, de-conversion, fabrication - including lifecycle impacts), and the reactor (technology development and manufacturing). | For nuclear powered shipping, the role of ports is different to traditional fuels and there is no bunkering. Here we refer to the nuclear fuel utilisation cycle, including: transportation of fuel/reactor, refuelling/reactor replacement, maintenance and port infrastructure. | For nuclear fuel, handling and storage onboard is inextricably linked with propulsion. Here we repeat the readiness figures given under propulsion. | For nuclear powered shipping, we include reactor operation (for power and/or propulsion) and reactor integration and operation into/on a floating vessel. |
The readiness level view shows Technology on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest), and both Investment and Community on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). In the supply chain view all figures are displayed on a percentage basis to allow like for like comparison, against a scale in 10% increments.
| Technology | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 9 | Production and product fully operational | A uranium supply chain already exists to serve other sectors, however supply does not currently meet potential future demand. |
Scaled-up uranium mining is required to meet current demand and increased demand from other sectors, such as shipping, adopting nuclear technologies. |
| Production | 2 | Technology concept formulated |
Fuel: Technology: |
Fuel qualification is needed (ongoing) and a full scale technology demonstration does not yet exist. HALEU enrichment facilities need to be built and scaled - this is ongoing in the UK and US.
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| Bunkering and ports (reactor refuelling and ports) | 2 | Technology concept formulated |
Micro reactors are returned to manufacturers facilities for refuelling, and is not an in-port activity. The technology concept and procedures for transportation have been formulated. Note: replacement in the lifetime of the vessel may not be required. |
Experience from naval nuclear vessels and ports will be leveraged to develop infrastructure and procedures for docking and repair shipyards that will handle nuclear ships. However, nominated ports need designated areas for the withdrawal, transportation and replacement activity. Note: the cooling down period is not yet defined, therefore required infrastructure to support this is unkown. |
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Onboard handling and storage (reactor operation) |
4 | Validation of integrated prototype in test environment | The technology is proven in a test environment, but testing on board has not been completed. The technology is undergoing validation. | Regulation needs to be defined so that appropriate procedures and technology can be deployed and tested onboard. Limited operational experience in this environment. |
| Propulsion (reactor operation) | 4 | Validation of integrated prototype in test environment | The technology is proven in a test environment, but testing on board has not been completed. | Regulation needs to be defined so that appropriate procedures and technology can be deployed and tested onboard. Limited operational experience in this environment. |
| Investment | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 6 | Bankable asset class | Uranium ore is a trading commodity. A uranium supply chain already exists, with several companies currently mining and supplying to other sectors. |
Scaling supply to meeting demand whilst avoiding increased prices.
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| Production | 1 | Hypothetical commercial application | Multiple supply chains for the fuel and technology exist, but none have been proven for use in commercial shipping. Initial performance and revenue projections have been developed for shipping investment, although there are uncertainties in these projections whilst TRL and CRL remain low. |
Solutions need to be proven for shipping, and strong market demand is needed to scale.
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| Bunkering and ports (reactor refuelling and ports) | 2 | Commercial trial, small scale | Commercial trials have started but they are quite limited. Investment currently going into new fuel types to supoort new reactor trials. Further investment would be required for scaling. |
Successful trials of new reactor types and regulations will drive investment in the fuel utilisation cycle.
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| Ship | 1 | Hypothetical commercial proposition | Cost projections for use of the technology in commercial shipping exist, however no commercial trials have begun yet. |
Trials are needed to validate assumptions, cost projections and data used in the initial economic case. |
| Community | Rating | Description | Justification | Challenge |
| Resource | 5 | Increased transparency and formalised processes driving momentum for change |
Increasing political momentum as evidenced by inter-governmental commitments at COP28. Anecdotal evidence also suggests a softening of the anti-nuclear attitude amongst the younger generation. |
Leveraging that momentum and understanding the global energy demands to meet decarbonisation targets. |
| Production | 2 | Stakeholder support or opposition is becoming understood as a result of pilots | Existing nuclear powered vessels, mainly naval but some civil, have a strong enough public profile for us to understand the arguments for and against. Rules and regulations exist for using nuclear technology in commmercial shipping, however they have been outpaced by current technology. | Can civic acceptance of existing nuclear applications at sea be translated to commercial shipping? Safety and environmental regulations need to be updated for transportable reactors, and communities need to be engaged and educated on the evidence around inherent safety and environmental designs. |
| Bunkering and ports (reactor refuelling and ports) | 2 | Stakeholder support or opposition is becoming understood as a result of pilots |
Existing nuclear powered vessels, mainly naval but some civil, have a strong enough public profile for us to understand the arguments for and against. Rules and regulations exist for using nuclear technology in commmercial shipping, however they have been outpaced by current technology. |
Can civic acceptance of existing nuclear applications at sea be translated to commercial shipping? Safety and environmental regulations need to be updated for transportable reactors, and communities need to be engaged and educated on the evidence around inherent safety and environmental designs.
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| Ship | 2 | Stakeholder support or opposition is becoming understood as a result of pilots | Existing nuclear powered vessels, mainly naval but some civil, have a strong enough public profile for us to understand the arguments for and against. Rules and regulations exist for using nuclear technology in commmercial shipping, however they have been outpaced by current technology. | Can civic acceptance of existing nuclear applications at sea be translated to commercial shipping? Safety and environmental regulations need to be updated for transportable reactors, and communities need to be engaged and educated on the evidence around inherent safety and environmental designs. |
Review expertise, readiness levels and data on future fuels
Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor
