Nuclear Microreactor-Powered Container Ships for Maritime Decarbonization

Abstract

The maritime shipping industry, responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces growing pressure to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework. Alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas, ammonia, and methanol present challenges related to energy density, infrastructure, safety, and cost. Nuclear microreactors offer high energy density, zero operational emissions, and multi-year endurance, but require coordinated regulatory development and stakeholder engagement for commercial adoption.

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating microreactors into container ship designs employing electric propulsion and standardized intermodal logistics. Holos-Quad microreactors are selected based on their modular architecture, transportability, and compatibility with marine operations. Detailed ship concepts are developed for Feeder, Panamax, and New-Panamax classes, accompanied by a phased fleet development strategy.

Economic modeling compares the lifecycle costs of conventional and microreactor-powered ships, incorporating capital expenditures, operating costs, financing assumptions, and carbon pricing. Fleet-level analysis indicates that microreactor-powered ships can achieve comparable or improved profitability while eliminating nearly 44 million metric tons of CO2e emissions across a ten-ship fleet. Sensitivity analyses confirm the robustness of these results across a wide range of future scenarios.

By integrating stakeholder analysis, technical feasibility assessments, and economic modeling, this research establishes a commercially viable framework for zero-emission nuclear-powered shipping, offering a scalable pathway toward sustainable maritime operations.