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IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative to Advance Nuclear Energy Maritime Applications

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the Atomic Technology for Maritime Applications Licensing Scheme (ATLAS) on August 26 in Washington, D.C., United States, aiming to support the safe, reliable, and peaceful use of nuclear energy in civilian vessels and floating nuclear power plants. The two-day ATLAS ministerial launch event, hosted by the United States, attracted approximately 600 delegates from over 50 countries, including international organizations, nuclear and maritime industry enterprises, port authorities, and relevant regulatory and policy departments. The IAEA stated that as nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power plants gain increasing attention, closer coordination mechanisms between the nuclear and maritime communities are needed. Maritime shipping carries approximately 80% of global trade volume, and maritime trade demand continues to grow at around 2% annually...

2026-08-27

United States to Host IAEA ATLAS Initiative Ministerial Launch

The United States will host the ministerial launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Atoms for Transport Licensing and Applications at Sea (ATLAS) Initiative in Washington, D.C., on August 26-27, 2026. The event will bring together ministers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss topics related to the safe and reliable application of nuclear technology in the maritime domain. The ATLAS Initiative aims to establish an international framework to harmonize legal and regulatory issues facing maritime nuclear energy applications and to support the deployment of related civilian nuclear technologies. Building on the IAEA's experience in nuclear safety, nuclear security, and safeguards, the Initiative emphasizes technology neutrality and places safety, security, and non-proliferation requirements as the foundation for advancing maritime nuclear applications...

2026-08-06

IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative: Building a New International Governance Framework for Maritime Nuclear Applications

As global shipping demand for alternative fuels continues to grow and small modular reactor technology matures, nuclear applications in the maritime sector are accelerating from concept to reality. However, offshore nuclear deployment involves a complex set of issues including safety, security, safeguards, legal liability, insurance, and jurisdiction. The existing international regulatory framework is fragmented and ill-suited to the deployment needs of modern reactor designs. Against this backdrop, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially launched the Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative, aiming to establish an integrated framework encompassing nuclear saf...

2026-07-31