The first handbook on the safety design of civilian nuclear-powered ships, published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, bears a strong Greek imprint.

This academic initiative aims to fill a major gap, as until now there has been no unified public document providing clear guidelines for the safe design of systems and components of civilian nuclear-powered vessels.

According to the university’s announcement, “Commercial shipping accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry strives to reduce its footprint and move toward a carbon-free future, nuclear energy — used for decades to power military vessels — is considered a highly attractive solution.”

The MIT Maritime Consortium is led by Greek professors Themistoklis Sapsis and Fotini Christia. Among the Greek shipping companies participating as founding members are Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. and Delos Navigation LTD. Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Dorian LPG also participate as innovation members.

The manual is divided into chapters covering areas where nuclear and maritime safety design decisions intersect. Its goal is to establish a holistic approach that balances technical, practical, and policy parameters, laying the groundwork for the safe development of nuclear propulsion in shipping.

Professor Themistoklis Sapsis, Mechanical and Ocean Engineering Professor and co-director of the MIT Maritime Consortium, notes:

“This manual is a key tool that supports efforts to adopt nuclear energy in shipping. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation for safety in critical areas that will require research and regulatory support in the coming years, so that the maritime industry can prepare for nuclear propulsion.”

Professor Fotini Christia, Professor of Social Sciences and co-director of the MIT Maritime Consortium, refers to the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the U.S. and the U.K. She emphasizes:

“The U.S.-U.K. maritime corridor for nuclear ships represents an excellent opportunity for collaboration with lawmakers to create a framework that will enable the United States to reinvest in commercial nuclear-powered ships — a development that could revitalize the American shipbuilding industry.”

Shipping at MIT

The programs of the MIT Maritime Consortium, such as the new manual, are directly linked to national efforts to revitalize American shipbuilding and commercial shipping.

Founded in 2024, the Consortium brings together MIT and leading industry companies to explore data-driven solutions aimed at reducing emissions, optimizing vessel operations, and enhancing the competitiveness of the maritime sector.

As Themistoklis Sapsis explains:

“One of our most important initiatives is developing technologies, policies, and regulations that will make nuclear propulsion in commercial ships a reality. Over the past year, we have assembled an interdisciplinary team of MIT professors and students. One of the outcomes of this work is this comprehensive document, which explains how this endeavor can be implemented safely.”