The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched ATLAS (Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea) – a global initiative to support the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear power in civilian shipping and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs).
The International High-level Forum on the ATLAS Launch held over two days in Washington, DC brought together around 600 participants from over 50 countries, as well as international organisations, industry leaders, the maritime sector and port authorities.
It marked the first globally coordinated effort to connect the nuclear and maritime sectors, reflecting growing interest in nuclear-powered ships and FNPPs pointing to the need for closer cooperation between the nuclear and maritime communities.
Maritime transport carries around 80% of global trade. As demand for seaborne trade continues to grow by around 2% annually, so does the need for reliable long-distance transport solutions that enhance energy security. Nuclear power, including through advanced and innovative reactor technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs), offers high energy density and long endurance, which could allow ships to operate for extended periods without refuelling. FNPPs could provide reliable energy to coastal and remote communities, as well as to offshore industries where conventional infrastructure is limited.
Advances in reactor design, fuel technology and maritime engineering mean some nuclear maritime designs could be ready for deployment as early as the 2030s. These technologies could power a wide range of uses from large vessels – such as container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships, icebreakers and offshore support vessels – to providing reliable electricity, heat, desalination and emergency power for remote communities, ports, disaster response and offshore industries.
“ATLAS is launching at precisely the right time,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. “By bringing together the nuclear and maritime sectors, we have the opportunity to shape the future of two crucial industries – energy and shipping – and to build global confidence in the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology at sea.”
At the opening session, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright noted: “The work accomplished at this Ministerial brings us closer to turning the promise of offshore nuclear energy and nuclear-powered shipping into commercial reality. By bringing governments, regulators, and industry together to tackle the practical barriers to deployment, ATLAS complements President Trump’s efforts to restore American nuclear leadership, expands opportunities for US innovation, and brings reliable nuclear energy to new markets around the world. The United States is committed to carrying this momentum forward with the IAEA and our international partners.”
A Joint Statement signed by 25 countries described ATLAS as “the first step towards revolutionising the civil nuclear maritime industry”. It said nuclear energy, in particular from advanced small modular reactors, has the potential to be a safe and viable option for maritime applications.
“As we look to the future, it is essential that the international nuclear and maritime communities collaborate to ensure the safe and secure deployment of these technologies, and to enhance the effective and efficient implementation of safeguards for civil nuclear applications at sea,” the Joint Statement read.
It was signed by Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Following the launch of ATLAS, the IAEA will begin its implementation through six expert Project Groups working collectively towards an integrated ATLAS framework. These groups – comprising country, industry, and other stakeholder representatives – will begin practical work this year to address the safety, security, safeguards and regulatory aspects, whilst taking account of deployment scenarios and other attributes of nuclear-powered shipping and FNPPs.
