Bridging the Gap: How Nuclear-Derived Zero-Carbon Fuels Can Help Decarbonize Marine Shipping

The report examines the role of nuclear energy in producing zero-carbon fuels (ZCFs) to decarbonize the marine shipping industry, which accounted for 2.6% of global CO2 emissions in 2018. It identifies ammonia as a particularly promising fuel due to its energy density and compatibility with existing engine technology. The authors argue that nuclear energy is well-suited for ZCF production because of its high capacity factor, low land-use requirements, and ability to provide high-temperature steam for electrolysis. The document proposes using the U.S. Jones Act and other federal programs to incentivize the construction of ZCF-powered vessels and the development of regional production hubs, specifically suggesting the Houston region as a potential case study.

• The international shipping industry is a significant source of emissions, accounting for 2.6% of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2018, and its emissions could triple by 2050 if it continues to rely on fossil fuels.
• Ammonia is identified as a superior zero-carbon fuel for long-haul shipping compared to batteries or liquid hydrogen because of its higher volumetric energy density and easier storability at modest refrigeration (-33°C).
• Nuclear energy is highly compatible with electrolysis for ZCF production due to its high capacity factor (93.4% in the U.S. in 2019), which reduces the cost of ammonia production compared to intermittent sources like wind (34.4%).
• The U.S. Jones Act, which requires vessels transiting between U.S. ports to be U.S.-built and flagged, could be leveraged to mandate the use of zero-carbon fuels for domestic shipping.
• The report suggests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) could require the use of low- or zero-carbon service vessels as a condition for offshore wind leases.
• Direct nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping faces significant hurdles, including port restrictions on nuclear vessels, insurance challenges, and public opposition.

APA

Fowler, M., Hammond, M., Lewis, J., Merrifield, J., & Rampal, B. (2021). Bridging the Gap: How Nuclear-Derived Zero-Carbon Fuels Can Help Decarbonize Marine Shipping. Clean Air Task Force. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21092159/NuclearZCFMarineShipping.pdf

Chicago

Fowler, Mike, Meghan Hammond, Jonathan Lewis, Jeffrey Merrifield, and Brett Rampal. Bridging the Gap: How Nuclear-Derived Zero-Carbon Fuels Can Help Decarbonize Marine Shipping. Clean Air Task Force, 2021. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21092159/NuclearZCFMarineShipping.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Fowler |first1=Mike |last2=Hammond |first2=Meghan |last3=Lewis |first3=Jonathan |last4=Merrifield |first4=Jeffrey |last5=Rampal |first5=Brett |title=Bridging the Gap: How Nuclear-Derived Zero-Carbon Fuels Can Help Decarbonize Marine Shipping |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=August 2021 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21092159/NuclearZCFMarineShipping.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fowler2021bridging, author = {Fowler, Mike and Hammond, Meghan and Lewis, Jonathan and Merrifield, Jeffrey and Rampal, Brett}, title = {{Bridging the Gap: How Nuclear-Derived Zero-Carbon Fuels Can Help Decarbonize Marine Shipping}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21092159/NuclearZCFMarineShipping.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }