New joint Lloyd’s Register and British Ports Association paper sets out a practical readiness pathway for ports considering nuclear-powered vessels, floating power and small modular reactors.

Ports should begin structured planning for advanced nuclear technology now, treating it as a long-term infrastructure and operating-model question rather than a new marine fuel, according to a new joint paper from the British Ports Association (BPA) and Lloyd’s Register (LR).

Advanced Nuclear Technology Use Within Port Environments outlines how nuclear could support ports’ growing demand for reliable, low-carbon power while creating new maritime and industrial opportunities. Potential applications include nuclear-powered ship calls, floating or transportable nuclear power units, and land-based small modular reactors or microreactors to power port operations and support fuel production.

The report finds that the most significant barriers are not solely technical. Regulatory alignment, governance, emergency preparedness, liability, insurance, workforce capability and public confidence will all be critical to safe and commercially viable deployment.

It calls on ports to integrate nuclear scenarios into their established marine safety-management systems, rather than create a parallel regime. Existing disciplines used to manage dangerous goods, hazardous cargoes, security zones and high-consequence operations provide a strong foundation, but will need additional nuclear-specific evidence, competence, monitoring and regulatory interfaces.

For ports, the opportunity extends beyond accommodating nuclear-powered vessels. Advanced reactors could provide baseload electricity for port estates, shore power, cargo-handling equipment, cold storage and neighbouring industry, as well as heat and electricity for hydrogen and synthetic fuel production. Ports could also develop high-value capabilities in shipbuilding, reactor-module integration, inspection, maintenance, specialist logistics and decommissioning.

Mark Tipping, Global Offshore Power-to-X Director at Lloyd’s Register, said: “Advanced nuclear has the potential to transform ports from energy consumers into resilient, low-carbon energy and industrial hubs. But realising that opportunity will depend on more than technology alone. Ports need to further assess governance, proportionate assurance and early collaboration across the maritime and nuclear sectors. By starting that work now, port leaders can build the evidence, capability and public confidence needed to make informed decisions as the market develops.”

Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive at BPA, said: “For ports, the opportunities for advanced nuclear go beyond receiving a nuclear-powered ship. They are already planning for significant changes in energy demand, infrastructure and the vessels they serve. Advanced nuclear may not be the right solution for every port, but it is important that the sector understands the potential applications and starts asking the right questions early on.”

The paper proposes a tiered readiness model, enabling each port to adopt a proportionate level of ambition: from becoming ‘nuclear-aware’, with the ability to assess enquiries and engage authorities, through to ‘nuclear-ready’ and ‘nuclear-enabled’, or ultimately operating as a nuclear energy hub.

Recommended no-regret actions include mapping stakeholders, assessing future energy demand and grid constraints, engaging regulators early and preparing clear, evidence-led communications for workforces and local communities.

The report also sets out a staged pathway from initial orientation and feasibility assessment to development and delivery. This is designed to help ports build evidence and confidence before major capital is committed, recognising that advanced nuclear will not be appropriate for every location.

International regulation remains a central challenge. Existing maritime nuclear frameworks pre-date today’s advanced reactor designs, while nuclear and maritime safety regimes are often insufficiently integrated. The paper highlights the importance of ports, governments, regulators, classification societies, insurers and technology developers working together to clarify responsibilities and shape workable national and international approaches.

Recent port-focused work, including the assessment of a nuclear-powered feeder containership calling at the Port of Rotterdam, indicates that nuclear ship calls can be considered through safety themes already familiar to ports, provided nuclear-specific requirements are incorporated systematically.

The BPA and LR conclude that preparation should precede procurement. Ports that begin proportionate planning now will be better placed to make informed investment decisions, maintain public confidence and influence the regulatory and commercial frameworks that will determine nuclear’s role in the next generation of maritime infrastructure.