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Why people want to put nuclear reactors on ships

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Malte Rohwer-Kahlmann
October 3, 2025

Most ships today run on sticky, dirty bunker oil. The industry is desperate for ways to change that – and might have overlooked the most obvious contender: nuclear energy. The military has long used reactors to power submarines and aircraft carriers. Can this also work for commercial ships?

Could nuclear-powered cargo ships be the future of clean shipping? The NS Savannah once proved it was possible — now, new reactor technologies promise safer, smaller, and more efficient vessels. With global shipping emitting nearly as much CO₂ as Japan, experts say nuclear propulsion could help meet climate goals. But outdated regulations, safety concerns, and lack of infrastructure remain major hurdles. The first modern nuclear ships may set sail in the 2030s — if the industry can overcome these challenges.

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