Shipping industry experts have warned that nuclear energy must be considered if the sector has any hope of meeting the International Maritime Organization's net zero targets by 2050.

At a recent seminar hosted by the Indian Register of Shipping, industry leaders debated whether nuclear propulsion could address maritime decarbonisation challenges. Panellists argued that without government backing, investors will not take the necessary risks, and without nuclear power, shipping cannot reach its climate goals.

"The private sector does not like technology risks or long lead times, and overcoming those doubts will take significant effort," panellists said. "Governments must underwrite nuclear as a green fuel, otherwise the investment simply won't come."

One panellist highlighted the scale of the challenge: "The latest figures show that just 0.4% of fuel used in shipping is alternative fuel in total. How do we go from that? Shipping will be competing with every sector for all the carbon-free molecules. Nuclear can provide all the energy we need. I don't see any other way."

Other speakers struck a stark tone, warning that the industry is "buying time rather than delivering transformation." Some described nuclear as shipping's "only chance" of hitting net zero, while others cautioned that public suspicion around nuclear energy remains a barrier.

The panel included maritime economist Dr. Martin Stopford; Capt. Savraj Mehta, Chief Commercial Officer at NorthStandard; Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Indian Register of Shipping; Gihan Ismail, Director at Marine Capital; Unni Einemo, Marine Regulations Lead at Core Power (UK) Ltd; and Anouskha Bachraz, Director of Transportation Advisory at Societe Generale. The discussion was moderated by Martin White, CEO of Stream Marine.

The debate concluded with a clear message that nuclear propulsion may divide opinion, but without coordinated action from regulators, investors, and industry, shipping's decarbonisation pathway looks increasingly uncertain.

The seminar took place during London International Shipping Week 2025, with the discussion focusing on whether nuclear technology represents the "missing piece" in maritime decarbonisation efforts.