June 12, 2025

After-Pop! A Brief Break Down of Nuclear Commercial Shipping

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