June 12, 2025
After-Pop! A Brief Break Down of Nuclear Commercial Shipping

In this After-Pop!, host Danielle explores the rise of commercial nuclear propulsion and how companies like CORE Power are reimagining the future of maritime shipping. Unlike military nuclear propulsion systems, these next-gen commercial systems are designed to be safe, scalable, and fully integrated with international safeguards.
This episode covers:
- The technical differences between military nuclear propulsion and commercial nuclear electric propulsion
- Why advanced reactors like molten salt designs are ideal for maritime applications
- What Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) are and how they apply to floating reactors
- The roles of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Why the first nuclear-powered trade routes will likely be limited to specific corridors
Resources and Further Reading
- World Nuclear Association – Nuclear-Powered Ships Overviewhttps://world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/transport/nuclear-powered-ships.aspx
- CORE Power – Maritime Nuclear Propulsion
https://www.corepower.energy/maritime-applications/nuclear-propulsion - CORE Power – Security and Safeguards
https://www.corepower.energy/standards-and-regulations/security-and-safeguards - CORE Power – Embracing Nuclear Propulsion in Ports (Interview)
https://www.corepower.energy/news/interview-embracing-nuclear-propulsion-in-ports - IEEE Spectrum – Can Nuclear Power Cargo Ships Clean Up Shipping?
https://spectrum.ieee.org/nuclear-powered-cargo-ship - Business Norway – The Future of Nuclear-Powered Ships
https://businessnorway.com/articles/the-future-of-nuclear-powered-ships