The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched a global initiative aimed at creating the regulatory and safety framework needed to bring nuclear power back into civilian shipping, according to Splash247. The move is the first coordinated international attempt to bridge the nuclear and maritime sectors at a moment of rising interest in nuclear-powered merchant ships and floating nuclear power plants.
ATLAS initiative brings maritime and nuclear sectors together
The initiative, named ATLAS — Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea — was unveiled in Washington on Wednesday, bringing together around 600 participants from more than 50 countries, Splash247 reported. Delegates spanned governments, regulators, shipowners, ports and the nuclear industry. Twenty-five countries signed a joint statement backing the initiative, calling it a first step towards revolutionising civil nuclear maritime applications.
IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said:
By bringing together the nuclear and maritime sectors, we have the opportunity to shape the future of two crucial industries — energy and shipping.
Regulatory and safety hurdles
Splash247 reported that small modular reactors and other advanced designs offer extremely high energy density and potentially years of operation between refuelling. The IAEA believes some nuclear maritime concepts could be ready for deployment in the 2030s.
According to Splash247, the harder questions involve regulation, insurance, liability, port acceptance, safeguards, security, crewing and the treatment of nuclear vessels as they move between jurisdictions. These are the areas where freight forwarders, ocean carriers, port authorities and insurers will feel the operational impact first.
Recent maritime nuclear moves
The launch of ATLAS comes amid a revival of interest in maritime nuclear power, with several recent developments reported by Splash247:
| Development | Reported by Splash247 | Parties | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Corpus Christi joins US maritime nuclear programme | Last week | Port of Corpus Christi, US Maritime Administration (MARAD) | Examine small modular reactor applications and supporting infrastructure |
| MARAD–CORE POWER agreement | This week | MARAD, CORE POWER | Accelerate a US-flagged fleet of nuclear-powered merchant ships |
| Maersk transatlantic nuclear corridor | Expected next week | Maersk, Port of Felixstowe, Port of Charleston | Explore development of a transatlantic nuclear corridor |
Splash247 reported last week that the Port of Corpus Christi had joined the US government’s maritime nuclear programme, signing an agreement with the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) to examine small modular reactor applications and the infrastructure needed to support them. This week, Splash247 reported, MARAD teamed up with CORE POWER in an agreement to accelerate a US-flagged fleet of nuclear-powered merchant ships.
What shippers and operators should track
According to Splash247, ATLAS will now establish six expert project groups covering these issues and work towards an integrated international framework. The concrete operational items that shippers and port authorities will need to watch include port acceptance policies, crew certification requirements, insurance and liability rules, and safeguards for nuclear vessels calling at civilian ports. Any future transatlantic nuclear corridor — such as the one Maersk is expected to announce with Felixstowe and Charleston, according to Splash247 — would directly affect ocean freight routing, port calls and dwell planning on the North Atlantic lane.
Watch list
- Maersk announcement: Splash247 understands that next week Maersk will announce a new initiative with the ports of Felixstowe and Charleston exploring a transatlantic nuclear corridor.
- MARAD–CORE POWER agreement: A US-flagged nuclear-powered merchant fleet is the stated target of the agreement signed this week.
- ATLAS expert groups: Six project groups will begin work on regulation, insurance, liability, port acceptance, safeguards, security and crewing.
- Deployment timeline: The IAEA believes some nuclear maritime concepts could be ready for deployment in the 2030s.
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