The world’s largest certification community — Lloyd’s Record – published a report on the prospects of superyachts switching to nuclear power plants. The climate agenda and common sense demand it, according to the association that sets the tone for litigation and transportation worldwide. The navies of leading countries have been using nuclear power plants on submarines for over 70 years, so this is a time-tested and safe technology.

An obvious impact of the switch to nuclear energy in elite yachting will be the end of greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of diesel fuel by yacht engines. The seriousness of the problem is underlined by the fact that a small layer of ultra-rich citizens on superyachts is making a significant contribution to increasing Earth temperature. But the benefits of converting yachts into nuclear power plants are multiple, as outlined in a report by Lloyd’s Register analysts.

Firstly, nuclear propulsion and its fuel supply will take up significantly less space on the yacht than diesel fuel supply and the associated power plant. Even equipping yachts with newfangled hydrogen cells and a compressed hydrogen source does not eliminate the need for diesel installations and fuel sources for long voyages. Freeing up space from diesel stocks and engines on yachts will provide more space for passenger comforts.

Second, uranium-based nuclear fuel can produce energy for decades without replacement. Considering the experience of submarines, reloading may be required every 30 years. This not only saves on fuel costs in the long run (which will be more expensive than refueling with diesel in the short term), but also makes it possible to ensure free movement across all seas and oceans without the need to stop somewhere to refuel. .

“Atomic power has the potential to be as transformative in shipping as the transition from wood to iron or sails to steam. – Lloyd’s Register’s global yacht segment director Engel-Jan de Boer said in a press release. “Unlike alternative fuels that could directly replace traditional fuel systems, nuclear energy represents a fundamental change that could transform luxury yachting.”

The question that needs to be answered is when yachts should switch to such a power plant. According to the report, yacht owners are divided on whether these changes should be made before the end of the decade or should be implemented over a longer period of time, after the technologies under development have reached a certain maturity. For example, when will the certification and implementation of small modular reactors begin? In any case, it seems only a matter of time before nuclear power plants for yachts appear.