New consortium explores floating NPPs

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Core Power and Athlos Energy have formed a consortium to evaluate the potential how floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) could meet the energy demands of islands, ports and coastal communities in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. The consortium will research how FNPPs could unlock a range of applications including: the establishment of grid-scale electricity for remote locations; the delivery of emission-free energy to ports; and the distribution of energy to desalination plants in drought-affected coastal communities.

ABS is a global leader in classification services, focused on delivering a safer, cleaner future for the marine and offshore industries. For over 160 years, ABS has been setting standards for shipping. UK-based start-up Core Power is working on molten salt reactor (MSR) designs and other technologies. Athlos Energy, founded in September 2024, is the first Greek company specialising in the nuclear industry.

The consortium will develop original FNPP concepts of operations (CONOPS) and publish a visual display of their prospective locations. The ABS Global Ship Systems Centre based in Athens will lead a Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal & Environmental (PESTLE) study alongside key stakeholders with the aim of assessing the feasibility of adapting CONOPS to supply power and other benefits in the Aegean Sea. The main deliverable of this collaboration will be an open-access white paper for use by industry, policy makers and government.

“As global efforts accelerate to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiencies and strengthen energy security, the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) on floating platforms could offer a viable alternative,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman & CEO. “Floating nuclear power facilities show promise in supporting power grids, microgrids, industrial and port operations and data centres, among others.”

Core Power CEO Mikal Bøe, said: “By constructing and mass-assembling a fleet of FNPPs in shipyards, we can deliver clean nuclear energy on time and budget, solving many of the largest energy challenges we face.” Dionysios Chionis, co-founder of Athlos Energy, noted: “As Greece reconsiders its energy future, the role of nuclear power is increasingly back on the agenda. This study marks an important first step in accessing the feasibility of deploying floating nuclear reactors in the Aegean Sea.”

In 2024, ABS drew up the industry’s first comprehensive requirements for FNPPs – Pathways to a Low Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Plant as well as the ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications and Pathways to a Low Carbon Future.