Nuclear’s introduction to maritime is compelling Western governments to rethink how ships are built, regulated and powered, as the global political landscape braces for major shifts.
In our latest instalment of CORE POWER’s nuclear outlook for 2026, Founder Mikal Bøe, outlines how the US, UK and their allies look towards a structural overhaul of industrial policy and shipbuilding, riven by the need for secure, high-velocity, nuclear-powered vessels and floating energy systems.
With the emergence of such newer technologies, complex questions of regulation, national authority, and public perception come to the forefront of maritime discourse, setting the stage for seismic shifts of global maritime power and influence.
Geopolitics and industrial strategy
Bøe described a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment surrounding shipbuilding, nuclear propulsion, and industrial energy security. He argued that Western governments, led by the US, are quietly preparing for a fundamental restructuring of how strategic infrastructure is built, regulated, and utilised.
Much of CORE POWER’s recent work in Washington, he noted, has focused on helping federal agencies and White House interagency groups “join the dots” between industrial policy, shipbuilding capacity, and national security. He emphasised that, for nations like the UK and US, trying to compete with China in shipbuilding is essentially a futile strategy.
Rather than competing in conventional shipbuilding markets, Bøe argued that the strategic opportunity lies in developing nuclear-powered vessels that travel faster, carry more cargo, and can deliver power ashore. He emphasised that this approach does not require building entire ships domestically; instead, his model envisions hulls constructed competitively in Japan and Korea before being outfitted in the US and Europe with advanced reactor systems. This hybrid strategy aims to combine Asian shipbuilding strengths with Western nuclear expertise to create a globally competitive supply chain.
READ: Nuclear at sea: the future of maritime energy
This geopolitical shift is already prompting a rethink of maritime regulation, moreover. The rise of nuclear-powered cargo ships and floating nuclear power plants will shift unprecedented authority to flag states, whose regulators license the onboard reactors under international law. This requirement could expand the geopolitical influence of countries like the UK and the US, raising complex questions about export controls, safeguards, and non-proliferation.
“You’re bringing licensing, export controls, and nuclear safeguards directly into the flag state,” Bøe noted. This represents a profound expansion of state authority over future maritime trade.
Floating nuclear plants bring similar challenges, or rather, opportunities, that require clear agreements with host nations to ensure oversight of licensing, maintenance, and waste management.
READ: US, UK partner to fast-track maritime nuclear projects
Nuclear and its stigma
Addressing public concerns, Bøe said perceptions of nuclear energy often stem from outdated fears rather than current scientific and regulatory realities. He also observed a growing interest among younger professionals, suggesting that the understanding of nuclear technology is gradually shifting.
When asked about the extent of safety risks, Bøe described the negative perception of nuclear power as “a bit of a superstition“, noting that governments like the UK are beginning to open more informed debates about nuclear safety standards.
He explained that modern safety concerns largely relate to the potential release of radioactive materials but emphasised that exposure limits for nuclear plants are set far below levels found in natural environments.
Bøe highlighted that operators in the nuclear industry work under exceptionally stringent requirements throughout a plant’s lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and decommissioning. Such systems, he said, demand precision and oversight far beyond typical industrial projects.
This frank discussion underscored how public understanding of nuclear safety is evolving, driven by science rather than fear, and by a new generation willing to reconsider nuclear energy’s role in a cleaner, sustainable future.
READ: Building the maritime nuclear workforce of the future
Bøe’s insights reveal how nuclear-powered vessels and floating plants have the potential to redefine global shipping and geopolitical influence, challenging primordial perceptions of newer technologies while ushering in a new age for the maritime industry.
Many dots remain unconnected, and many questions are yet to be answered regarding the use of nuclear at sea. Despite this, nuclear advocates have reason for optimism with industry and politics poised for what could be the contemporary ‘sail-to-steam’ revolution.
For more information:
CORE POWER – https://www.corepower.energy/
