Q. What are the Forum's ambitions over the short, medium, and long term?

The Forum views maritime SMR technology as a valid component of the clean energy transition and pathway to net zero, projecting three, potentially sequential, deployment phases: Ashore (port-adjacent) -> Fixed/Floating (FNPP) -> Commercial Ships.

• Short Term: Alignment of domestic policy with recent UK regulatory reforms, specifically supporting the Autumn 2026 merger of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) into a single commercial/naval authority, while advancing the UK-US Atlantic Partnership and potential other “pink corridors” for cooperation on civil nuclear shipping.
• Medium Term (through 2028): Capitalise on the UK’s new statutory objectives for nuclear regulators to enable "Type-Approval" SMR licensing models and ensure maritime interests are fully integrated as the UK Nuclear Commission becomes operational.
• Long Term: Establish a fully realised, internationally harmonised, and efficient certification and liability framework that normalises nuclear technology – assessing nuclear on a level playing field with other alternative fuels – and enables commercial operations and positions UK plc as a global export leader in maritime nuclear technology.

Q. How can the nuclear sector balance innovation and growth with safety, security, and public confidence?

Modern merchant shipping applications favour advanced designs, which possess fundamental physical and safety differences from legacy Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs). To balance rapid innovation with uncompromising safety, regulatory structures must move away from the outdated and prescriptive 1981 IMO Code (Res. A.491 XII) and embed "Safe by Design" principles into reactor architecture from the outset.

The biggest opportunity lies in the ongoing IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) workstream, where the UK, via the MCA, leads the correspondence group in  efforts to develop a new risk based Nuclear Code targeted for 2030. To succeed, the framework must:

1. Take a risk-based approach through a Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) and Goal-Based Standards (GBS).
2. Be technology-neutral and accommodate diverse non-water-cooled designs. 
3. Align with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) land-based standards to support global approvals.

There’s also a need to integrate the “Three Ss” of Safety, Security, and Safeguards into design, operations, and fuel-handling, while overcoming complex challenges surrounding international liability regimes and insurability. The UK is uniquely positioned to solve these barriers through its world-leading maritime legal services, P&I clubs, insurance market, and role as host nation to the IMO headquarters in London.

Perhaps most importantly, the deployment of nuclear technologies must be grounded in Social Licence and in particular with the support of local communities, stakeholders and the general public. Building the trust required for that Licence will need transparent, evidence-based engagement, clarifies liability and insurance frameworks, demonstrable safety by design and a robust life-cycle approach. Public attitudes to nuclear are changing but support shouldn’t be assumed nor taken for granted, in the UK or globally.

Q. Why has this become a priority now, and where do you see the biggest opportunities emerging for the UK?

Nuclear energy has become a leading strategic priority for many nations (UK, US, China, Korea, France, Netherlands, Russia, to name but a few) due to the convergence of very significant baseload power demand (driven by AI and data centres), severe grid constraints, and urgent national energy security imperatives following recent global fuel shocks. If SMR technology proves successful, its modular build process promises factory-standardised production and significantly lower capital expenditure to large scale nuclear.

For the UK, the opportunities are significant. As host nation of the IMO and coordinator of the correspondence group work on the new Nuclear Code, the UK is helping shape future international standards and can influence the development of risk-informed licensing frameworks and design acceptance agreements.

The UK's strength in marine insurance, P&I, maritime law and classification services also creates an opportunity to become a global centre for underwriting and supporting floating nuclear assets. Meanwhile, the planned merger of the ONR and DNSR could help bridge civil and naval reactor expertise, in addition to establishing a "Type-Approval" regime which could allow UK ports and the UK/REG fleet to attract early commercial deployments.

However, the window for leadership will not remain open indefinitely, and the UK’s competitive advantage could be at risk as other nations moving quickly and could establish the standards and expertise that define the market.

Q. Scanning the Horizon, what developments will most shape the Forum's work in the years ahead?

While the Forum is currently focused on facilitating the safe deployment of maritime SMR technology, its remit extends far beyond a single issue.

Future priorities could include advancing flexible legislative mechanisms, such as regulatory sandboxes for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), to test and permanently adopt novel technologies without being stalled by statutory processes, or considering the regulatory and cyber implications of the wider introduction of AI-driven route optimisation, predictive digital twins, and Just-In-Time port arrivals to maritime.

Most importantly, the Forum will continue to respond to member input, ensuring it remains focused on the issues most likely to shape the future of shipping.

For more information on the work of the Forum, please contact Robert. In addition, UK Chamber Members can join the Futures Forum via the Member Dashboard.