Business Development Manager – Advisory (Maritime & Energy) - Advisory, Energy & Maritime

Ports told to prepare now for advanced nuclear power. Joint paper sets out a readiness pathway for ports facing nuclear-powered vessels, floating reactors and small modular units. Ports are being urged to treat advanced nuclear as a long-term infrastructure question rather than wait for the technology to arrive. Pictured: Keith Johnstone, Lloyd's Register's Director of Strategic Partnerships, Nuclear, at the British Ports Association Annual Conference in Dover. Image credit: Lloyd's Register Ports should begin structured planning for advanced nuclear technology now, treating it as a long-term infrastructure and operating-model question rather than simply a new marine fuel, according to a joint paper published on 22 October by the British Ports Association (BPA) and Lloyd's Register (LR). The paper, titled Advanced Nuclear Technology Use Within Port Environments, outlines how nuclear could support ports' demand for reliable, low-carbon power while creating maritime and industrial opportunities. Potential applications identified in the report include nuclear-powered ship calls, floating or transportable nuclear power units, and land-based small modular reactors or microreactors to power port operations and support fuel production. According to the paper, the most significant barriers to adoption are not solely technical. Regulatory alignment, governance, emergency preparedness, liability, insurance, workforce capability and public confidence will all be factors in safe and commercially viable deployment, the report states. The BPA and LR call on ports to integrate nuclear scenarios into their established marine safety management systems, rather than create a parallel regime. They argue that existing disciplines used to manage dangerous goods, hazardous cargoes, security zones and high-consequence operations provide a foundation, but say these will need additional nuclear-specific evidence, competence, monitoring and regulatory interfaces. For ports, the opportunity extends beyond accommodating nuclear-powered vessels, the report suggests. Advanced reactors could provide baseload electricity for port estates, shore power, cargo-handling equipment, cold storage and neighbouring industry, as well as heat and electricity for hydrogen and synthetic fuel production, according to the paper. Ports could also develop capabilities in shipbuilding, reactor-module integration, inspection, maintenance, specialist logistics and decommissioning. Mark Tipping, global offshore power-to-X director at Lloyd's Register, commented: "Advanced nuclear has the potential to transform ports from energy consumers into resilient, low-carbon energy and industrial hubs. But realising that opportunity will depend on more than technology alone. Ports need to further assess governance, proportionate assurance and early collaboration across the maritime and nuclear sectors. By starting that work now, port leaders can build the evidence, capability and public confidence needed to make informed decisions as the market develops." Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at BPA, stated: "For ports, the opportunities for advanced nuclear go beyond receiving a nuclear-powered ship. They are already planning for significant changes in energy demand, infrastructure and the vessels they serve. Advanced nuclear may not be the right solution for every port, but it is important that the sector understands the potential applications and starts asking the right questions early on." The paper proposes a tiered readiness model, enabling each port to adopt a proportionate level of ambition - from becoming "nuclear-aware", with the ability to assess enquiries and engage authorities, through to "nuclear-ready" and "nuclear-enabled", or ultimately operating as a nuclear energy hub. Recommended no-regret actions set out in the report include mapping stakeholders, assessing future energy demand and grid constraints, engaging regulators early and preparing evidence-led communications for workforces and local communities. The report also sets out a staged pathway from initial orientation and feasibility assessment through to development and delivery. This is designed, the authors say, to help ports build evidence and confidence before committing major capital, while recognising that advanced nuclear will not be appropriate for every location. International regulation remains a challenge identified in the paper. Existing maritime nuclear frameworks predate current advanced reactor designs, while nuclear and maritime safety regimes are often insufficiently integrated, the report notes. It highlights the need for ports, governments, regulators, classification societies, insurers and technology developers to work together to clarify responsibilities and shape national and international approaches. The paper references recent port-focused work, including the assessment of a nuclear-powered feeder containership calling at the Port of Rotterdam, which it says indicates that nuclear ship calls can be considered through safety themes already familiar to ports, provided nuclear-specific requirements are incorporated systematically. The BPA and LR conclude that preparation should precede procurement. 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Lloyd's Register and NSML launch plans for global maritime forum in Nigeria. Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer for LR (left) and Abdulkadir Ahmed, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, announce the launch of the NSML-LR Maritime Future Forum at Gastech 2026 New industry-led platform will bring together international shipping, energy, infrastructure and finance leaders, positioning Nigeria as a hub for maritime dialogue and development in Africa. Lloyd's Register (LR), and NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) have announced plans to establish a new global maritime forum in Nigeria, creating a new platform for industry leaders to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of shipping, energy, infrastructure and investment. Announced as part of the partners' ongoing commitment to supporting Africa's maritime development, the NSML-LR Maritime Future Forum will bring together organisations from across the maritime value chain, including shipowners, operators, regulators, energy companies, investors, insurers, ports and technology providers. Discussions will focus on how shipping, energy, infrastructure, technology, people and investment can work together to unlock economic growth, strengthen supply chains and support sustainable development across Africa and beyond. The initiative builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by LR and NSML at Gastech 2025 to strengthen maritime skills, training and capability development in West Africa. The proposed forum represents the next phase of that collaboration, expanding its focus to create a long-term platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing and industry leadership. The launch comes as Africa's maritime sector enters a period of significant transformation. Growing investment in LNG, offshore energy, ports, shipping and logistics is increasing the importance of maritime infrastructure, workforce development and cross-sector collaboration. At the same time, digitalisation, decarbonisation and evolving trade patterns are reshaping the demands placed on the industry. Against this backdrop, the forum aims to position Nigeria as a convening point for global maritime expertise and discussion. This reflects the partners' ambition to demonstrate that Nigeria can be at the forefront of maritime innovation and leadership, both within Africa and internationally. Ngozi Gwam, Business Director and Senior Representative for Africa, LR, said: "Africa's maritime future will be defined by how effectively we connect people, infrastructure, technology, energy and investment. The Maritime Future Forum has been created by industry, for industry. Our ambition is to establish a platform that brings together stakeholders from across the value chain to explore practical solutions, exchange expertise and support sustainable growth across the maritime sector." An NSML spokesperson said: "NSML has consistently been at the forefront of shaping discourse in the Nigerian maritime industry. The NSML-LR Maritime Forum, therefore, serves as a strategic platform for maritime stakeholders to engage on pressing industry issues, share insights, and collaboratively develop solutions that advance the growth, competitiveness and sustainability of the sector."