India eyes small modular reactors for commercial shipping, boosting energy security and maritime decarbonisation.
In a bold step toward cleaner energy and maritime innovation, India is planning to extend the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) beyond remote power generation to commercial shipping, signalling a strategic shift in its nuclear energy programme.
Over the past two years, the Indian government has announced major investments to boost its nuclear capacity with a focus on next-generation reactor technologies. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is currently developing two Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) designs: 55 MWe and 200 MWe, intended for off-grid applications and energy-intensive industries like cement and steel.
According to Business Standard, citing a senior government official, these reactors are designed to be highly safe and could be deployed to power merchant ships, opening a new chapter for India’s shipping sector. The country already has operational experience with nuclear propulsion, with two nuclear submarines, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, each running on 83 MWe reactors. Future naval vessels are expected to incorporate the larger 200 MWe reactors, enhancing endurance and operational capability at sea.
Extending this proven military technology to civil shipping could accelerate India’s ambitions to lead in low-carbon maritime transport. With the shipping industry under increasing pressure to decarbonise, SMRs offer a reliable zero-emission energy source.
This aligns with global regulatory trends. In June, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Safety Committee approved revisions to the SOLAS convention to accommodate advanced technologies like SMRs, paving the way for their adoption in commercial fleets.
Several international technology providers are already fast-tracking SMR development for maritime use, and India aims to seize this momentum. The government is also working on legal amendments to its nuclear energy framework to allow greater private sector participation, marking a significant policy shift.
In parallel, India has renewed nuclear cooperation with the U.S. and France, focusing on strengthening its capabilities in SMR and Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) technologies. By integrating these systems into commercial shipping, India aims to enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and position itself as a leader in clean maritime power solutions.
Source: The MarEx
