IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative With 25 Nations for Maritime Nuclear Power
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The International Atomic Energy Agency announced the ATLAS initiative on Wednesday, with 25 member nations joining to advance civilian nuclear power for ships and coastal seas. The project aims to accelerate a transition from fossil fuels to nuclear energy in maritime settings, covering nuclear-powered civilian ships and floating nuclear power plants. Russia and China, which already operate floating nuclear power plants, are notably absent from the initiative.
Key Facts
- The ATLAS initiative was announced by 25 IAEA member nations on Wednesday.
- Participating countries include 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, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Russia and China are not part of ATLAS, though both already operate floating nuclear power plants.
- Russia's Arctic fleet includes six nuclear-powered icebreakers and one nuclear-powered freighter, according to the World Nuclear Association.
- The United States launched the NS Savannah, a nuclear-powered cargo ship, in 1959.
ATLAS Initiative Launch
The International Atomic Energy Agency formally announced the start of the ATLAS initiative on Wednesday, with 25 member nations joining the effort. ATLAS stands for Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea, and it aims to shepherd civilian nuclear power in coastal and high seas settings. The initiative focuses on two main areas: nuclear-powered civilian ships and floating nuclear power plants. The 25 participating countries represent a significant portion of the global economy, including major economies such as the United States, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom.
Nuclear-Powered Shipping
Nuclear-powered ships offer advantages including zero carbon emissions, no need for refueling, and the ability to operate at full speed continuously. South Korea is planning to build nuclear cargo ships in the near future. The United States launched the NS Savannah, a nuclear-powered cargo ship, in 1959, and several other countries followed over subsequent decades. Despite technological success, nuclear-powered cargo ships were too expensive to gain widespread adoption. Several nuclear startups are now working on small, inexpensive reactors, but these have not yet materialized.
Floating Nuclear Power Plants
Floating nuclear power plants are sea-based platforms with a reactor on top, designed to provide power to rural coastal communities or offshore commercial facilities. Russia and China already operate floating nuclear power plants, and Russia's Arctic fleet includes six nuclear-powered icebreakers and one nuclear-powered freighter. The absence of Russia and China from ATLAS suggests the initiative may serve as a Western and Western-aligned counterweight. Many ports currently do not allow nuclear reactors to enter, and security concerns about nuclear material falling into the wrong hands remain unresolved.
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IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative With 25 Nations for Maritime Nuclear Power
