The panel's argument is that civilian small modular reactors need a large land-based market before container lines can use them economically. Ships require trained personnel, equipment, and operating knowledge as well as a reactor. A broad power-generation industry would spread those specialist costs across many more users. Naval reactor programs alone are judged too small to supply that scale for merchant shipping.
Notable Point · 29:39-30:18
Why civilian nuclear shipping needs a shore-side industry
A follow-up connects merchant nuclear propulsion to the workforce, equipment, and training supplied by a much larger civilian nuclear industry.