Introduction
As the shipping industry navigates an increasingly complex regulatory and commercial landscape, operators are looking for solutions that deliver long-term certainty, improve operational performance and support decarbonization goals. Nuclear propulsion is emerging as one potential pathway that could fundamentally reshape the future of commercial shipping.
This session from the CORE POWER London Summit 2026 brings together experts from across maritime, legal, insurance and nuclear sectors to discuss where nuclear propulsion could provide a competitive advantage and what will be required to support its adoption.
Session Overview
The discussion explores how nuclear propulsion differs from conventional and alternative fuel pathways by offering high-energy-density, long-duration power without the operational constraints associated with frequent refueling. As shipping companies consider future fleet investment, the session examines where these advantages could create new commercial opportunities.
Panelists discuss which vessel segments may be best suited to early adoption, alongside the regulatory, liability and insurance frameworks that will need to evolve as maritime nuclear technologies progress towards commercial deployment. The conversation also considers the importance of international collaboration and industry engagement in establishing conditions for future implementation.
Together, the session provides a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing nuclear propulsion into the commercial shipping sector.
Speakers
Moderator
Charlotte Vere, CORE POWER
Panelists
Dr Spyros Hirdaris, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Ian Truman, Burges Salmon
Kimberly Sexton Nick, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Patrick Ryan, UK P&I Club
Watch the full session above to hear the discussion in full.
