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Recently, some shipowners and operators gathered in Athens for the “AGORO: Greek Shipping’s New Nuclear” event. Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping, stated that nuclear energy is increasingly becoming a reliable long-term solution.
This summit attracted over 120 senior industry leaders who welcomed the accelerating pace of nuclear energy development, believing it will promote the application of nuclear energy in the fields of maritime transport and floating nuclear power stations.
Charlotte Vere, Head of Market Development at CORE POWER, pointed out that generations of Greek shipowners have always played a leading role at critical moments, driving the industry forward with their collective wisdom, innovative spirit, and resilience. Today, facing the challenges posed by carbon and other emission taxes, the entire industry is committed to improving operational efficiency, and the shipping industry is at another historical turning point. Innovators in the Greek shipping industry are joining forces with other industry leaders to jointly explore feasible solutions for using nuclear fuel in maritime transport.
Thomas Davies, Head of Analysis at CORE POWER, believes that nuclear energy is no longer a high-risk option, but a viable path for shipowners seeking commercial rationality and operational superiority amidst the uncertainties of future energy.
Ioannis Kourasis, Senior Nuclear Engineer at CORE POWER, added that among all power generation methods, nuclear energy has the highest capacity utilization rate, and its high reliability makes it a cornerstone power source for the grid.
Chris Leontopoulos of ABS Greece, Dionysis Chionis of ATHLOS Energy, Afroditi Xydi of the DEON Policy Institute, and Aspasia Petri of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission jointly held a panel discussion on floating nuclear power stations and their application as a potential energy solution for Greece.
After the summit, Afroditi stated that as a significant maritime nation, Greece has the potential to leverage global attention on nuclear energy to lead the development of future ships and power generation facilities.
CORE POWER is collaborating with ABS Greece and ATHLOS Energy to advance a feasibility project for deploying floating nuclear power installations in the Mediterranean. This cooperation aims to assess how floating nuclear systems powered by small modular reactors can meet the growing energy demands of remote and coastal areas in the Mediterranean. Potential applications include providing grid-level electricity to islands, supporting zero-emission port operations, and powering desalination facilities in arid regions to ensure freshwater supply.
The consensus reached at the summit is that 2025 will be the inaugural year for the large-scale application of nuclear energy in the maritime sector. Advanced nuclear technology is opening up new possibilities for the maritime field—from powering large commercial vessels and supporting offshore platform operations to electrifying ports and providing energy to remote coastal areas.
