Feadship joins Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation

Dutch yard Feadship has officially joined the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO), a collective dedicated to advancing fair and effective regulations for the deployment, operation and decommissioning of floating nuclear power.

This announcement builds on Feadship’s energy transition roadmap launched in 2020, which defines the shipyard’s path toward carbon-neutral yachting. Milestones already achieved include next-generation multi-fuel systems and the integration of fuel cell technology on the 118.8-metre Breakthrough, which will be debuting at this year's Monaco Yacht Show.

Feadship is actively exploring the potential of nuclear propulsion for yachts, with potential applications from the mid-2030s including offshore power barges for synthetic fuel production and zero-emission propulsion for the world’s largest vessels.

However, for luxury yachting, the largest barrier to adopting nuclear power is the absence of clear regulation. Issues such as radiation dose limits, operational freedom in sensitive ecological zones and access to densely populated harbours must be addressed beforehand, with Feadship hoping to "shape the regulatory frameworks that will enable responsible innovation" with its involvement in NEMO.

"Yachting has always been about pioneering the future of technology at sea," said Giedo Loeff, Feadship's head of innovation and strategy. "Joining NEMO aligns with our vision to explore every credible pathway toward a sustainable future. Nuclear power may not be tomorrow’s solution for superyachts, but it could be part of the long-term horizon – and it is our responsibility to help shape that possibility in a safe and sustainable way."