Deployable Energy Nuclear Power Application Wins 2026 SHIPPINGInsight Award

[By: SHIPPINGInsight

The prestigious SHIPPINGInsight Innovation Award for 2026 was presented to John Baber, Vice President of Deployable Energy on October 13th at the 15th SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization & Innovation Conference.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Deployable Energy is an advanced nuclear technology company developing mass-manufactured microreactors designed to deliver reliable, affordable, and scalable power. Its flagship Unity Nuclear Battery is a 1- megawatt modular nuclear power system engineered for rapid deployment and operation across maritime, defense, industrial, remote, and critical infrastructure applications.

Through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, Hornbeck Offshore, and other industry stakeholders, Deployable Energy is advancing the development, demonstration, and commercialization of next-generation nuclear energy technology.

John was one of 4 new technologies presenting to a panel of investor and shipowner “Sharks” at SHIPPINGInsight’s annual US conference, held this year in Houston TX. Chum included Sidonia, Customs Genius, and Philyron.

“This year’s SHIPPINGInsight Conference was replete with nuclear application discussions” stated SHIPPINGInsight’s Chief Evolution Officer Carleen Lyden Walker. “It was no surprise, then, that Deployable Energy captured the prize for innovation.”

Each year, the award is given to recognize new technologies (“Chum”) who have achieved success in creating and executing an innovative initiative that pushes the boundaries of ship and fleet optimization objectives. The winner is chosen by the “Sharks” through their “investment” in the various technologies presented in the SHARK TANK. Deployable Energy received $36 million in “investment”.

This year’s judges (“Sharks”) included Shark Wrangler, Carleen Lyden Walker of SHIPPINGInsight, Mare Liberum’s Nate Sauder, Jonathan Chia of MTI Network USA, Reed Smith’s Han Deng, Wader Pinder of Product Houston, Maritime OIC LLC’s Ryan Lynch, and David Walker of ABS.

SHIPPINGInsight extends its congratulations to Deployable Energy and thanks all participating SHARK TANK contestants and industry Sharks for their contributions to this year's competition.