IAEA launches ATLAS to unlock nuclear power for shipping and offshore energy

• Around 600 delegates from more than 50 countries gathered in Washington for the global launch of ATLAS, the IAEA initiative to enable safe civilian use of nuclear power at sea.
• Twenty five nations signed a joint statement backing the programme, which targets deployment of nuclear propelled vessels and floating nuclear plants by the 2030s.
• The IAEA will set up six expert project groups this year to develop safety, security, safeguards and regulatory frameworks for nuclear shipping and offshore applications.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has officially launched ATLAS, short for Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea, a coordinated global effort to support the safe and secure use of nuclear power in civilian shipping and floating nuclear power plants.

The two day ministerial forum in Washington drew about 600 participants from over 50 countries, including government officials, regulators, port authorities, industry leaders and international organisations, in what the IAEA described as the first globally coordinated push to connect the nuclear and maritime sectors.

Maritime transport currently carries around 80% of global trade, and with seaborne trade demand growing at roughly 2% a year, the need for reliable long distance energy solutions is intensifying. Nuclear power offers high energy density and long endurance, which could allow large vessels to operate for extended periods without refuelling, while floating nuclear plants could supply steady electricity, heat, desalination and emergency power to coastal and remote communities as well as offshore industries where conventional infrastructure is limited.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said ATLAS arrives at a pivotal moment for both industries. “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,” he said.

A joint statement issued at the launch saw 25 countries commit to ATLAS, calling it “the first step towards revolutionizing the civil nuclear maritime industry” and stressing the need for close collaboration to ensure safe deployment and effective implementation of safeguards for civil nuclear applications at sea.

United States Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright said the ministerial moves the promise of offshore nuclear energy and nuclear powered shipping closer to commercial reality. He added that ATLAS complements efforts to restore American nuclear leadership, expands opportunities for US innovation and brings reliable nuclear energy to new markets globally.

Following the launch, the IAEA will begin implementation through six expert project groups made up of country, industry and other stakeholder representatives. These groups will start practical work this year to address safety, security, safeguards and regulatory aspects while taking account of deployment scenarios for nuclear powered shipping and floating nuclear power plants.

On the sidelines, nuclear and maritime companies showcased technologies pointing to a new era for civil nuclear applications at sea, with some designs potentially ready for deployment as early as the 2030s. Potential uses range from container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships, icebreakers and offshore support vessels to providing reliable power for ports, disaster response and remote communities.

On day two, delegates travelled to the Port of Baltimore for a high level visit to the NS Savannah, the world’s first civil nuclear powered merchant ship, whose reactor began operating in 1962. More than six decades later, ATLAS is convening countries to tackle the questions now facing a new generation of nuclear maritime technology: how nuclear power can be used at sea, what rules are needed, and how safety, security and safeguards can be built in from the outset.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal