Exploration into Floating Nuclear Power for Mediterranean Maritime Needs

UK-based maritime nuclear technology developer CORE POWER has joined forces with class society ABS and Greek start-up Athlos Energy to investigate the deployment of floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) in the Mediterranean Sea. 

The consortium, which will place a particular emphasis on Greece, will assess how small modular reactors (SMRs) mounted on marine platforms could deliver clean, reliable energy to remote islands, port facilities and coastal communities.

“FNPPs can revolutionise the way we deliver reliable and affordable nuclear energy,” said CEO of CORE POWER, Mikal Bøe. 

“By constructing and mass-assembling a fleet of FNPPs in shipyards, we can deliver clean nuclear energy on time, and on budget, solving many of the largest energy challenges we face”.

Bøe noted that modular fabrication in established marine yards could accelerate deployment while leveraging shipbuilding skills and supply chains.

Under the study, the consortium will develop original concepts of operations (CONOPS) for FNPP platforms and produce visual models of potential deployment sites. 

A central focus will be the feasibility of operating SMR-powered vessels in the Aegean Sea, where thousands of islands rely heavily on imported fuels and often require costly back-up generators.

“Floating nuclear power facilities show promise in supporting power grids, microgrids, industrial and port operations, and even data centers,” said ABS chairman and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki.

“As Greece reconsiders its energy future, the role of nuclear power is increasingly back on the agenda. This study marks an important first step in assessing the feasibility of deploying floating nuclear reactors in the Aegean Sea,” co-founder of Athlos Energy, Dionysios Chionis, added.

Chionis pointed to Greece’s strategic interest in reducing carbon emissions from its maritime sector, including passenger and freight services between islands.

The initiative also overlaps with broader EU and national plans to strengthen energy security in the Mediterranean. The project offers a flexible, relocatable power source that can adapt to changing grid demands or be redeployed following maintenance cycles, capabilities that are less feasible with land-based reactors.

Over the coming months, the partners will engage with Greek authorities, port operators and regulatory bodies to refine site assessments, environmental impact studies and safety analyses. 

Should the concept prove viable, subsequent phases may include detailed engineering designs, pilot installations and integration trials alongside existing maritime operations.
 

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