The World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) and the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation (NEMO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly shape the future of nuclear-powered shipping and transportable nuclear power plants.
The partnership aims to champion the development of international standards that prioritise safety, security, and sustainability in both the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials and the use of nuclear energy at sea or in remote deployment locations. By engaging with global institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO), WNTI and NEMO will help shape the standards, regulatory frameworks and technical guidance needed to unlock the full potential of these technologies.
WNTI said the partnership comes at a pivotal moment, as the plans to launch the ATLAS programme later this year. This is designed to assist countries in developing regulations and guidance for the transport of small modular reactors (SMRs) and use of nuclear energy at sea. Together, WNTI and NEMO will combine their expertise, industry insights, and practical experience to support the creation of safe, secure, and sustainable international standards.
According to IMO, the maritime shipping industry is currently responsible for approximately 2.9% of global carbon emissions, and reducing this to meet net zero targets is a priority. Civil nuclear propulsion offers a pathway to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by replacing fossil-fuelled engines with compact, emission-free nuclear propulsion systems.
However, transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs) can be delivered by sea or land to regions that lack reliable grid infrastructure or face energy security challenges. Once deployed, these reactors generate clean electricity – and in some cases, high-temperature steam or heat on site. In addition to electricity, TNPPs can support hydrogen generation or seawater desalination.
“By enabling both low-carbon maritime mobility and clean, dispatchable energy at the point of need, this collaboration sets the stage for a bold new chapter in nuclear innovation,” WNTI noted.
WNTI will focus on the safe transport of nuclear materials and transportable nuclear power plants, drawing on its decades of experience in international nuclear and radioactive materials movement. NEMO will lead on issues related to nuclear-powered and propelled ships, including regulation, design, and operations. Bothe organisations will work on floating nuclear power plants.
The partnership also supports the development of WNTI’s new five-Year Strategy, to be launched later this year, which prioritises delivery, partnership, and the growth of a global nuclear and radioactive materials transport community. At the same time, NEMO is scaling its initiatives to ensure the safe integration of civilian nuclear ships and mobile nuclear technologies across global markets.
“This new partnership reflects WNTI’s commitment of turning strategy into action,” said WNTI CEO Professor Pete Bryant. “We’re proud to partner with the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation (NEMO) to drive the development of international standards for transportable nuclear power plants and wider applications of nuclear power in the maritime environment. This collaboration is a crucial step toward accelerating clean energy innovation – helping us tackle climate change and deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
NEMO Chairman Dr Mamdouh El-Shanawany said the MOU “marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to enable the safe, secure, and sustainable use of nuclear energy at sea”. He added: “By bringing together our complementary expertise, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of clean maritime transport and reliable, dispatchable energy wherever it is needed most. We look forward to working closely with WNTI to develop robust international standards and unlock the full potential of nuclear innovation to benefit coastal communities, industries, and the environment alike.”
In June, the IMO formally agreed to start the revision of outdated regulations for nuclear-powered ships. The 110th session of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee heard proposals from several member states and NGOs calling for a revision of the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships and relevant parts of the SOLAS Convention.
