IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative in the U.S., Signed by 25 Countries

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the launch of the ATLAS (Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea) global initiative to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy in civilian shipping and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs).

The two-day ATLAS inaugural international high-level forum was held in Washington, D.C., with approximately 600 participants from more than 50 countries, as well as representatives from international organizations, industry leaders, the maritime sector, and port authorities. The launch marks the first coordinated global effort to connect the nuclear and maritime communities, reflecting growing interest in nuclear-powered vessels and floating nuclear power plants.

Maritime transport carries approximately 80% of global trade volume, with seaborne trade demand growing at a rate of about 2% per year. Nuclear energy, including advanced reactor technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs), offers high energy density and long endurance, enabling vessels to operate for extended periods without refueling. Floating nuclear power plants can provide energy to coastal and remote communities, as well as offshore industries with limited traditional infrastructure.

Thanks to advances in reactor design, fuel technology, and maritime engineering, some nuclear maritime designs could be ready for deployment as early as the 2030s. These technologies can serve large vessels such as container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships, icebreakers, and offshore support vessels, and can also provide electricity, heat, seawater desalination, and emergency power to remote communities, ports, disaster response efforts, and offshore industries.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the launch of ATLAS comes at a timely moment. By bringing the nuclear and maritime sectors together, there is an opportunity to shape the future of two critical industries—energy and shipping—and to build global confidence in the safe, secure, and peaceful use of maritime nuclear technology.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright noted at the opening ceremony that the outcomes of this ministerial meeting bring parties closer to turning the vision of maritime nuclear energy and nuclear-powered shipping into commercial reality. By bringing governments, regulators, and industry together to address practical deployment barriers, ATLAS complements President Trump's efforts to restore U.S. nuclear leadership, expands opportunities for American innovation, and brings reliable nuclear energy to new global markets. The United States is committed to advancing this momentum together with the IAEA and international partners.

A joint statement signed by 25 countries describes ATLAS as "a first step toward radically transforming the civilian nuclear maritime industry." The statement says that nuclear energy, particularly from advanced small modular reactors, has the potential to become a safe and viable option for maritime applications. It also states that the international nuclear and maritime communities must cooperate to ensure the safe and secure deployment of these technologies and to strengthen the effective and efficient implementation of safeguards for civilian maritime nuclear applications.

The signatory countries include: Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Following the launch of ATLAS, the IAEA will advance implementation through six expert working groups, which together will build a comprehensive ATLAS framework. These groups, composed of representatives from countries, industry, and other stakeholders, will begin practical work this year, addressing safety, security, safeguards, and regulatory issues while considering deployment scenarios and other characteristics of nuclear-powered vessels and floating nuclear power plants.