EMSA – Assessment of alternative fuels and energy

In an effort to contribute to the decarbonization of ports and maritime transport, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has expanded its assessment of alternative fuels and energy sources to include nuclear energy.

During a workshop held on November 26 at EMSA’s headquarters in Lisbon, it was announced that the organization has initiated a study on the feasibility of nuclear-powered electric ships, in response to multiple requests from EU Member States and other industry stakeholders.

Focusing on small-scale modular nuclear fission reactors, the first Nuclear Energy Study, set to be published soon, was introduced. This study will cover sustainability, feasibility, and safety issues, aligning with EMSA’s previous research on alternative fuels.

Among the topics analyzed are appropriate reactor technology, the nuclear fuel life cycle, nuclear material management, and regulatory frameworks.

Spyros Hirdaris, Director of the Global Center for Naval Systems at ABS and member of the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation (NEMO), presented four papers at the workshop, providing an overview of the findings from the EMSA-commissioned study so far.

  • In his first presentation, he covered the basics of fission, various reactor technologies, and different fuel types.
  • In his second talk, he examined the regulatory and legal landscape, as well as the sustainability and feasibilityof various reactor designs for civilian propulsion.
  • After conducting a cost analysis, he summarized different scenarios and recommendations for risk identification.