Greek shipowners are poised to play a pivotal role in advancing nuclear energy within the maritime sector. This commitment was underscored at ARGO: New Nuclear for Greek Maritime, held in Athens last week, where leading shipowners and operators convened to discuss the sector’s rapid progress.
Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), emphasized nuclear’s potential as a long-term solution for shipping, stating:
“Nuclear energy is no longer a distant possibility for maritime applications—it is emerging as a legitimate, practical, and scalable solution for a wide range of strategic uses. It is a credible long-term solution, not simply because of its potential to reduce emissions, but because it offers unmatched energy density, reliability, and strategic independence.”
The Summit brought together over 120 senior industry leaders who welcomed the accelerating development of nuclear solutions for both commercial shipping and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs).
In her opening remarks, Charlotte Vere, Group Head of Market Development at CORE POWER, highlighted Greece’s unique position in shaping nuclear’s future in maritime:
“For generations, Greek shipowners have led the industry at pivotal moments in shipping history, leveraging expertise, innovation, and resilience. Now, we are at another inflection point, as the industry strives to improve efficiencies under carbon and emission levies. We are pleased that innovators in the Greek shipping industry are working with us and other partners on pathways to deliver nuclear for maritime.”
A joint initiative between CORE POWER, ABS Hellas, and ATHLOS Energy is now exploring the deployment of FNPPs in the Mediterranean. Powered by small modular reactors, these assets could meet rising energy demand in remote and coastal regions, with applications including:
- Supplying grid-scale electricity to islands,
- Enabling zero-emission port operations, and
- Powering desalination plants in drought-affected areas.
Wiernicki noted that initial applications are likely to focus on floating power barges, which are simpler to design, build, and regulate since they operate in fixed locations. He pointed to floating nuclear-powered data centers as a significant opportunity, projecting they could capture up to 10% of the global market by 2050. With the U.S. alone potentially hosting nine such facilities, and the data center market projected to reach $212 billion by 2029, Wiernicki emphasized this as a strategic growth vector rather than a niche market.
He also stressed the importance of commercial nuclear corridors as the first step toward nuclear-powered vessels. These corridors narrowly defined routes between countries with favorable nuclear acceptance and strong regulatory oversight could provide the foundation for wider adoption, ensuring safe deployment, regulatory alignment, and scalable integration across the shipping and energy ecosystems.
Earlier this year, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) in Athens to explore how nuclear science and technology can accelerate decarbonization in shipping, one of the world’s most vital industries.
Source: Shipping Telegraph
Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), emphasized nuclear’s potential as a long-term solution for shipping, stating:
“Nuclear energy is no longer a distant possibility for maritime applications—it is emerging as a legitimate, practical, and scalable solution for a wide range of strategic uses. It is a credible long-term solution, not simply because of its potential to reduce emissions, but because it offers unmatched energy density, reliability, and strategic independence.”
The Summit brought together over 120 senior industry leaders who welcomed the accelerating development of nuclear solutions for both commercial shipping and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs).
In her opening remarks, Charlotte Vere, Group Head of Market Development at CORE POWER, highlighted Greece’s unique position in shaping nuclear’s future in maritime:
“For generations, Greek shipowners have led the industry at pivotal moments in shipping history, leveraging expertise, innovation, and resilience. Now, we are at another inflection point, as the industry strives to improve efficiencies under carbon and emission levies. We are pleased that innovators in the Greek shipping industry are working with us and other partners on pathways to deliver nuclear for maritime.”
A joint initiative between CORE POWER, ABS Hellas, and ATHLOS Energy is now exploring the deployment of FNPPs in the Mediterranean. Powered by small modular reactors, these assets could meet rising energy demand in remote and coastal regions, with applications including:
- Supplying grid-scale electricity to islands,
- Enabling zero-emission port operations, and
- Powering desalination plants in drought-affected areas.
Wiernicki noted that initial applications are likely to focus on floating power barges, which are simpler to design, build, and regulate since they operate in fixed locations. He pointed to floating nuclear-powered data centers as a significant opportunity, projecting they could capture up to 10% of the global market by 2050. With the U.S. alone potentially hosting nine such facilities, and the data center market projected to reach $212 billion by 2029, Wiernicki emphasized this as a strategic growth vector rather than a niche market.
He also stressed the importance of commercial nuclear corridors as the first step toward nuclear-powered vessels. These corridors narrowly defined routes between countries with favorable nuclear acceptance and strong regulatory oversight could provide the foundation for wider adoption, ensuring safe deployment, regulatory alignment, and scalable integration across the shipping and energy ecosystems.
Earlier this year, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) in Athens to explore how nuclear science and technology can accelerate decarbonization in shipping, one of the world’s most vital industries.
Source: Shipping Telegraph