https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/162805 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:06:59 GMT 2026-04-08T22:06:59Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/164311.2 Technology-Policy Handbook for Trans-Atlantic Nuclear Maritime Corridors: Ports, Infrastructure, and Safety Valiaveedu, Anthony; Edmonds, Nat On September 18, 2025, the United States and the United Kingdom published a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological advancement. This new partnership focuses on understanding and deploying disruptive technologies in Artificial Intelligence, quantum, and civil nuclear energy. Less highlighted was a single sentence within the MoU outlining efforts to "explore opportunities" for establishing a "maritime shipping corridor" between the US and UK. So far, research on civilian nuclear ships has generally prioritized ship design and operation analysis. This paper will instead analyze port, regulatory, and infrastructural issues within this space and provide a path forward for technology policy solutions supporting systems safety. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/164311.2 2025-12-12T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/163117.2 Nuclear Ship Safety Handbook Valiaveedu, Anthony; Edmonds, Nat; Izurieta, Jose At present, there exists no clear, unified public document in the incorporation of design safety for nuclear civilian ships. Historically, there has been developed research into this area due to political development in the “Atoms for Peace” era. However, as of recent, the only development has been through standards institutions related to Floating Nuclear Power Plants (commonly known as FLOPPS) and by the Russian Federation with their nuclear icebreaker development. This paper uses this research data and standards and combines it with the operational experiences during civilian maritime nuclear operations to provide unique insights into potential issues and resolutions in the design efficacy of maritime nuclear operations. The goal, therefore, is to provide a strong basis for initial safety on key areas that require nuclear and maritime regulatory research and development in the coming years to prepare for nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry. The paper is isolated into multiple chapters in the areas that involve overlapping nuclear/maritime safety design decisions that will be encountered by engineers. Chapter 1 establishes the principles andm philosophy behind the safety discussion for nuclear maritime and discusses key topics that relate to the overall ship design. Chapter 2 provides design details on the reactor compartment and other considerations when designing the reactor compartment. Chapter 3 describes the various hazards the reactor plant should be resilient against and avenues in establishing resiliency. Chapter 4 discusses the propulsion system and key considerations when evaluating different propulsion designs. Chapter 5 provides emergency power considerations for design determinations. Chapter 6 provides an event tree analysis on the major initiating events when operating a nuclear ship. Chapter 7 outlines the port operating procedures including avenues for establishing porting requirements for nuclear ships. Contact information: Anthony Valiaveedu (arv7@mit.edu); Nat Edmonds (edmondsn@mit.edu) Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/163117.2 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/164311 Technology-Policy Handbook for Trans-Atlantic Nuclear Maritime Corridors: Ports, Infrastructure, and Safety Valiaveedu, Anthony; Edmonds, Nat On September 18, 2025, the United States and the United Kingdom published a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological advancement. This new partnership focuses on understanding and deploying disruptive technologies in Artificial Intelligence, quantum, and civil nuclear energy. Less highlighted was a single sentence within the MoU outlining efforts to "explore opportunities" for establishing a "maritime shipping corridor" between the US and UK. So far, research on civilian nuclear ships has generally prioritized ship design and operation analysis. This paper will instead analyze port, regulatory, and infrastructural issues within this space and provide a path forward for technology policy solutions supporting systems safety. Advised by Jacopo Buongiorno, Eric Forrest, Fotini Christia, Koroush Shirvanm and Themis Sapsis.; Contact information: Anthony Valiaveedu (arv7@mit.edu); Nat Edmonds (edmondsn@mit.edu) Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/164311 2025-12-12T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/163117 Nuclear Ship Safety Handbook Valiaveedu, Anthony; Edmonds, Nat; Izurieta, Jose At present, there exists no clear, unified public document in the incorporation of design safety for nuclear civilian ships. Historically, there has been developed research into this area due to political development in the “Atoms for Peace” era. However, as of recent, the only development has been through standards institutions related to Floating Nuclear Power Plants (commonly known as FLOPPS) and by the Russian Federation with their nuclear icebreaker development. This paper uses this research data and standards and combines it with the operational experiences during civilian maritime nuclear operations to provide unique insights into potential issues and resolutions in the design efficacy of maritime nuclear operations. The goal, therefore, is to provide a strong basis for initial safety on key areas that require nuclear and maritime regulatory research and development in the coming years to prepare for nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry. The paper is isolated into multiple chapters in the areas that involve overlapping nuclear/maritime safety design decisions that will be encountered by engineers. Chapter 1 establishes the principles andm philosophy behind the safety discussion for nuclear maritime and discusses key topics that relate to the overall ship design. Chapter 2 provides design details on the reactor compartment and other considerations when designing the reactor compartment. Chapter 3 describes the various hazards the reactor plant should be resilient against and avenues in establishing resiliency. Chapter 4 discusses the propulsion system and key considerations when evaluating different propulsion designs. Chapter 5 provides emergency power considerations for design determinations. Chapter 6 provides an event tree analysis on the major initiating events when operating a nuclear ship. Chapter 7 outlines the port operating procedures including avenues for establishing porting requirements for nuclear ships. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/163117 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z