Splash247: Nuclear bodies join forces to advance atomic-powered ship development

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. 

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. For floating nuclear power plants, both organisations will work side by side.

The partnership also supports the development of WNTI’s new five-year strategy, launching 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.

By engaging with global institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), WNTI and NEMO will help shape the standards, regulatory frameworks and technical guidance needed to unlock the full potential of these technologies.

This partnership comes as the United Nations’ IAEA looks to launch the Atomic Technology Licensed for Application at Sea (ATLAS) program later this year, designed to assist countries in developing regulations and guidance for the transport of small modular reactors (SMRs) and use of nuclear energy at sea. 

Last month, the IMO formally agreed to start the revision of outdated regulations for nuclear-powered ships.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 (Resolution A.491) and relevant parts of the SOLAS Convention.