Ports

Maersk Expands Nuclear Container Ship Study to Transatlantic Route

A.P. Moller-Maersk is broadening its examination of nuclear-powered container vessels beyond European operations. The Danish carrier, the world's second-largest by capacity, partnered with Lloyd's Register and Core Power in 2024 to evaluate regulatory feasibility for nuclear containerships at ports. An initial study at Rotterdam assessed a hypothetical 3,600-TEU feeder vessel and identified regulatory and governance barriers rather than technical obstacles, including port safety procedures, emergency protocols, physical protection and insurance requirements. Maersk emphasized the work does not signal deployment plans. In September, the carrier and Lloyd's Register announced the conceptual "Pink Corridor" project linking Felixstowe and Charleston to evaluate a transatlantic nuclear service. The first phase will assess ship security, nuclear safeguards, cyber resilience and regulatory alignment between maritime and nuclear authorities. SC Ports said the initiative provides an opportunity to study a nuclear-powered freight corridor.