The new guidance promotes nuclear power as a reliable maritime energy source, addressing the complex regulatory, safety and economic challenges of its integration.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published Navigating Nuclear Energy in Maritime, a new guidance document providing the first roadmap for the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology in commercial shipping and offshore industries.
As the maritime sector accelerates its transition towards sustainable energy solutions, nuclear power has re-emerged as a viable solution to achieve net-zero ambitions.
The guidance, developed in partnership with Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP) and marine insurer NorthStandard, sets out the practical steps project teams must take – outlining regulatory, technical, operational and financial requirements for integrating nuclear technology, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), into maritime assets.
With no international regulatory framework yet in place, the document discusses the roles of key bodies, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighting the importance of harmonising maritime and nuclear standards.
Topics covered include safety classification, environmental impact assessments, structural integrity, and the development of a robust nuclear safety case. Security measures are also addressed, with emphasis on physical and cyber protection systems, as well as insider threat mitigation.
Operational and financial aspects are thoroughly explored, including personnel qualifications, emergency response planning, and quality assurance throughout the project lifecycle. The document also examines insurance and reinsurance challenges, advocating for a predictable liability framework to support commercial viability.
Mark Tipping, LR’s Global Power to X Director, said:“Nuclear energy has the potential to transform maritime, providing a scalable and zero-carbon energy source that can accelerate the industry’s energy transition. However, its adoption requires clarity, collaboration and trust across regulators, operators, insurers and wider society. This guidance offers a comprehensive starting point for stakeholders to navigate the risks and opportunities ahead.”
Nick Tomkinson, Senior Partner, Global Nuclear Security Partners, said: “Maritime nuclear will only succeed when safety, security and safeguards are considered together from the start. This guidance document helps first movers align maritime and nuclear frameworks, apply goal-based approaches where prescriptive rules are absent, and build the confidence required by regulators, insurers and the public. GNSP is proud to contribute to this important step for the sector.”
Helen Barden, Director – External Affairs at NorthStandard, added: “NorthStandard are proud to have been invited to contribute our expertise to the Navigating Nuclear Energy in Maritime guidance document. We collaborated with Lloyd’s Register to explore the insurance and reinsurance considerations for nuclear energy – particularly the interlink between classification and insurance, current P&I limitations around pooling nuclear risks and the importance of liability frameworks.
“We welcome the growing recognition that nuclear could play a meaningful role in the decarbonisation of shipping and we are proactively supporting the maritime industry when it comes to the insurance and regulatory challenges ahead.”
LR’s guidance builds on its industry-leading Fuel for Thought: Nuclear research programme and aims to fill a critical knowledge gap. It brings together decades of classification, safety and compliance expertise with specialist nuclear insight to provide an evidence-based framework for project teams at every stage of development.
The full guidance, Navigating Nuclear Energy in Maritime, is now available at: Navigating nuclear energy in maritime | LR
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Notes for editors:
About Lloyd’s Register
Trusted maritime and energy sector advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine and offshore engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.
Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.
Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024.
In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.
Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education
About NorthStandard:
NorthStandard is a leading provider of global marine insurance products and services across the maritime industry. Formed through the merger of North P&I Club and the Standard Club in February 2023, NorthStandard is rated ‘A’ by S&P Global. The company reports premium revenues exceeding $886 million, free reserves of $800 million, and mutual pool tonnage surpassing 270 million gross tons (GT).
Headquartered in the UK, with offices throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, NorthStandard offers a unique combination of international reach and exceptional expertise in various specialist areas, including Protection and Indemnity (P&I), Freight, Demurrage, and Defense (FD&D), War Risks, Strike and Delay, Hull and Machinery, and ancillary insurance. Its Sunderland Marine and Coastal & Inland divisions provide coverage for fixed premium P&I insurance for owners, fishing vessels, inland waterway, and coastal trading vessels. NorthStandard’s extensive local market and sector knowledge is bolstered by ongoing investments in cutting-edge digital technologies.
As a prominent member of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG), NorthStandard is committed to the shared goals of its 12 independent member clubs, which collectively provide liability coverage for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.
About Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP)
Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP) is a management consultancy specialising in nuclear security and nuclear threat reduction. With offices in the UK and Australia, GNSP provides trusted advisory and technical expertise to governments, regulators, and industry across the civil and defence nuclear sectors.
GNSP supports both established and emerging nuclear nations in developing the capacity, capability, and assurance necessary for the secure use of nuclear technology. Its work spans six core pillars: Defence Nuclear Security, Civil Nuclear Security, Training and Independent Assurance, International Architecture and Safeguards, Emerging Technologies, and Radiological Survey and Reconnaissance.
The company’s values, trustworthiness, collaboration, innovation, technology agnosticism, and integrity, guide its mission to strengthen nuclear security and safeguards worldwide.
For more information, visit www.gnsp.global or contact enquiries@gnsp.global
For media enquiries contact:
Glenn Harris
Media Relations Lead
Lloyd’s Register
E : glenn.harris@lr.org
T: 07809 757 779
