The Port of Charleston is collaborating with international partners on a new initiative, dubbed a pink corridor, to investigate the requirements for operating nuclear-powered containerships across the Atlantic. This project, announced recently, involves the Port of Felixstowe in the UK, shipping giant Maersk, and Lloyd’s Register.
The study will comprehensively examine various aspects crucial for nuclear-powered vessel operations. Key areas of focus include ship and port security protocols, nuclear safeguards, cyber resilience measures, and emergency response plans. The project will also delve into insurance considerations and the complex task of harmonizing maritime and nuclear regulatory frameworks between the United States and the United Kingdom.
This collaboration reflects a growing global interest in nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping. Governments, classification societies, shipowners, and ports are increasingly considering nuclear power as a viable future fuel option. The United States has emerged as a central figure in this resurgence. In May, the Trump administration launched a formal initiative to develop small modular reactors for commercial shipping, directing the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to explore widespread deployment across American fleets.
Following this, MARAD engaged the ports of Long Beach and Corpus Christi to study the integration of small modular reactors into ships, terminals, and the broader marine transportation system. Late last month, MARAD further partnered with CORE POWER, a UK-founded nuclear technology company, through a memorandum of cooperation. This agreement aims to overcome obstacles that have historically limited nuclear propulsion to naval vessels, with CORE POWER targeting initial construction by 2028, though the agreement does not commit MARAD to funding or vessel acquisition.
Beyond these government-led initiatives, private sector investments are also increasing. Scorpio Tankers invested $10 million earlier this year in Ampera, a US reactor developer, with an initial focus on floating nuclear power barges and a long-term goal of nuclear-powered merchant ships. The regulatory landscape is also evolving, with the International Atomic Energy Agency launching ATLAS (Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea) last week in Washington. This initiative brings together governments, regulators, shipowners, and the nuclear industry to develop the necessary rules for civilian nuclear shipping.
The new pink corridor project builds upon earlier work initiated in 2024 by Maersk, Lloyd’s Register, and CORE POWER, which focused on the regulatory and safety requirements for nuclear-powered containerships.
