by Alexa Ivy
Nuclear-powered vessels have a long history in naval and icebreaker applications, though atom-freighters did not leave the demonstration-project period of 1962-72 (with one still working since the late 1980s exception).
That said, the emergence of the 4th generation small modular reactors (SMR) is opening the way for using this emission-free technology also in commercial shipping.
But any race towards a nuclear-powered commercial maritime future will require a marathon-like rather than a sprint commitment.
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