Lloyd's Register and BPA urge ports to plan for nuclear infrastructure

A joint report by Lloyd's Register and the British Ports Association (BPA) recommends that ports begin structured planning for advanced nuclear technology. The report suggests treating nuclear power as a long-term infrastructure and operating-model requirement rather than merely a new marine fuel.

Potential applications include supporting nuclear-powered ships, utilizing floating or transportable nuclear power units, and deploying land-based small modular reactors or microreactors. These technologies could provide reliable, low-carbon baseload electricity for port operations, shore power, cargo-handling equipment, and cold storage, while also supporting the production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels.

The report identifies several non-technical barriers to deployment, including regulatory alignment, governance, emergency preparedness, liability, insurance, workforce capability, and public confidence. It advises ports to integrate nuclear scenarios into existing marine safety-management systems—leveraging current protocols for hazardous cargoes and high-consequence operations—rather than creating separate regimes. Furthermore, the study highlights opportunities for ports to develop specialized capabilities in shipbuilding, reactor-module integration, maintenance, and decommissioning.