Scorpio Tankers wants to develop and market micronuclear energy systems for maritime applications together with the US company Ampera.
As the listed tanker operator announced, the strategic cooperation is intended to provide solutions for shipping, offshore applications and port and coastal infrastructure.
Initially, floating nuclear power barges are planned. In the long term, nuclear-powered ships are also to be developed. In this context, Scorpio Tankers also announced an investment of 10 million dollars in Ampera.
“Nuclear microreactors have the potential to fundamentally change the energy supply of ships and offshore infrastructure. We believe this collaboration puts us at the forefront of this change,” emphasizes Emanuele Lauro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scorpio Tankers.
As part of the cooperation, Scorpio Tankers will primarily contribute market knowledge and maritime expertise. According to the company, this includes shipbuilding and engineering expertise, technical design, regulatory experience and international business relationships in shipping and maritime infrastructure. Ampera will contribute its microreactor technology and will work with Scorpio to develop commercial models and technical configurations for maritime use. These include usage models such as “Power-as-a-Service”, leasing and long-term service contracts.
Goal:CO2-free energy solutions for maritime and coastal use
According to the partners, there is a growing need for reliable, CO2-free energy solutions for maritime and coastal applications. The collaboration focuses on floating nuclear power plants, nuclear-powered merchant ships, energy supply for offshore and remote maritime locations as well as power solutions for ports and coastal infrastructure.
Scorpio Tankers is active in the transportation of petroleum products and currently has 89 product tankers, including 33 LR2, 42 MR and 14 Handymax tankers. The company states that the average age of the fleet is 10.1 years. In addition, the sale of five ships and several new construction projects have been agreed.
Ampera describes itself as a US technology company for advanced core energy systems. It is developing a compact, fully containerized thorium-based micronuclear reactor system in a subcritical solid-state design that does not require refueling.
Scorpio sells two MR product tankers
Scorpio Tankers announced on Monday the sale of two scrubber-equipped MR product tankers for $35 million each. The two vessels, “STI Brooklyn” and “STI Black Hawk”, were built in 2015. The sales are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026.
D The company has also entered into agreements for the sale of one LR2 product tanker and four MR product tankers, which are expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. The company, which has a market capitalization of $3.48 billion, has shown strong financial performance, with the stock returning 104% last year.
Scorpio Tankers has also signed contracts for several newbuildings: four MR tankers under construction with delivery expected in 2026 and 2027, four LR2 newbuildings with planned delivery in 2027 and 2029 and two VLCC newbuildings with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2028.
