AMPERA adds maritime as key growth vertical

Jan 28, 2026

AMPERA, a rapidly growing next-generation safe and clean nuclear energy company is adding the maritime sector as a primary segment in its growth portfolio, joining data centers and defense applications.
“Our game-changing technology strongly aligns with the business demands for commercial shipping and defense vessels,” said Brian Matthews, CEO and Founder of AMPERA. “Having a power generation unit onboard that can provide consistent, clean and safe energy, while drastically shrinking the engine room footprint and significantly reducing vessel weight is a strong value proposition.

AMPERA is developing a compact, sealed nuclear energy system whose inherent safety characteristics make it well suited for commercial maritime propulsion. The system emphasizes exceptional safety through a highly compact architecture and a sealed, ultra-long-life core that operates for decades without refueling. Its design aligns with established naval safety principles, eliminates fuel handling, does not use any water, minimizes operational complexity and incorporates safeguards by design to minimize proliferation risk.

AMPERA's subcritical, thorium-fueled micro-reactor is being developed to deliver ultra-safe, clean and reliable power to maritime operators that can eliminate emissions, reduce weight and improve operating costs. Rendering courtesy of AMPERA.

The global shipping market analysis indicates there are more than 10,000 commercial ships in operation today that could benefit from changing out their power systems to an AMPERA solution. Additionally, defense vessels could utilize the thorium-fueled system to meet their power and discharge demands, by leveraging the compact, emission-free, autonomous energy solution.

“AMPERA’s architecture is perfectly suited for large vessels, cruise ships, reefer units and port barges,” added Matthews. “Operators we are speaking with are very enthusiastic about the economic and environmental benefits that can be achieved to make their fleets even more efficient and cost competitive.”

By combining additive manufacturing, AI-driven control and proprietary reactor design, AMPERA’s systems achieve unmatched levels of safety, performance and scalability — transforming what’s possible in ultra-safe nuclear energy.