The "Pink Corridor" project will map the security, insurance, and regulatory demands of a theoretical transatlantic nuclear route. Image Credit: LR

• Lloyd's Register, Maersk, and the ports of Charleston and Felixstowe launch Pink Corridor project
• Study covers a theoretical nuclear-powered containership trading between the two ports
• Focus on ship security, safeguards, cyber resilience, emergency response, and insurance
• Work supports the US-UK Technology Prosperity Deal's civil maritime nuclear commitment

Lloyd's Register, Maersk, and the ports of Charleston and Felixstowe have launched a project to work out what a nuclear-powered containership route between the UK and US would actually require.

The so-called Pink Corridor project is centred on a theoretical nuclear vessel trading between the two ports, and will identify the operational, security, and safeguarding requirements such a route would need before it could be considered.

Key areas include ship security, safeguards, cyber resilience, emergency response, insurance regimes, and the alignment of maritime and nuclear regulatory expectations, the partners said in a statement on Wednesday.

The work is expected to support the US-UK Technology Prosperity Deal and its commitment to explore civil maritime nuclear applications, including the potential creation of a shipping corridor between the two countries.

"The Pink Corridor joint development programme is an important step for the application of nuclear technology in merchant shipping," said Nick Gross, global containerships segment director at LR.

"The partnership brings together industry-leading players across shipping, ports and classification, reflecting the growing interest in nuclear technology as a route to more sustainable maritime operations."

The project builds on LR and Core Power's 2024 regulatory assessment study, later formalised with Maersk in a joint development project on applying advanced nuclear power to container shipping.

For the ports, the work is early-stage but concrete, covering what theoretical port access on the route would demand.

"As a major US East Coast port, Charleston is always looking for innovative, cost effective and sustainable ways to move freight," said Tom Boyle, director of vessel operations and carrier sales at SC Ports.

Felixstowe commercial director Adam Ramsey said the UK's largest container port was "well-positioned to support the Pink Corridor and contribute practical insight to this important early-stage work."

The first phase's findings will shape a potential second phase covering the engineering, regulatory, legislative, and security frameworks needed for nuclear merchant ships.

Nuclear propulsion sits at the far end of shipping's alternative fuel options, replacing bunkers entirely, with Core Power telling Ship & Bunker in 2023 it sees marine nuclear power costing the equivalent of around $500/mt in fuel oil terms.