London-based professional services organization and maritime classification society Lloyd's Register has brought together a group of experts from the U.K. nuclear, maritime, insurance, and regulatory sectors with the primary goal of establishing international standards "for safe, secure, and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships."

This Maritime Nuclear Consortium includes Lloyd's Register as the group's lead, safety administrator, and secretariat; Rolls-Royce, specializing in advanced reactor design; Babcock International Group (ship design, construction, and support); Global Nuclear Security Partners (security and safeguards); Stephenson Harwood (legal and regulatory issues); and NorthStandard (insurance).

Credibility: Maritime nuclear power, Lloyd's Register said, "is a proven, advanced, and safe energy source that can tackle one of the toughest challenges in the energy transition. The next generation of advanced modular reactors (AMRs) will allow ships to sail for years without refueling, with zero carbon emissions and rigorous safety built in from the start."

The organization added that the United Kingdom "has a long history of leading maritime innovation and is now in a strong position to support the safe adoption of maritime nuclear power. With trusted regulators, world-class engineering and shipbuilding, and decades of naval nuclear experience, it has the credibility to shape international standards from the start."

More than zero-carbon ships: Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd's Register, said, "Used safely in naval fleets for decades, the next generation of [AMRs] brings tougher safeguards and the chance to bring nuclear power into everyday commercial shipping. If the U.K. leads on global standards, nuclear will mean more than zero-carbon ships. It will mean work in British shipyards, new business in the City [of London], and lasting jobs for those who build, insure, and sail the world's fleet."

Below are the initial objectives of the consortium:

• To demonstrate a statement of design acceptability (SODA) for a generic, site-licensed AMR.
• To develop a class certification framework integrating nuclear and maritime regulation.
• To define a security and safeguards architecture to meet regulatory requirements.
• To establish insurability pathways for nuclear-powered vessels.
• To publish guidance for industry and government to accelerate safe adoption.