By Geoffrey H. Latayan
The use of nuclear power in various utilities – medicine, space exploration, energy, and other industrial processes – has increased in recent times as nations join the trend.
And now, shipping has taken steps towards running on nuclear power, with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) holding discussions with Greek shipowners to tackle the use of this energy source on seagoing vessels.
On Thursday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Greek government – represented by foreign affairs minister Giorgios Gerapetritis and development minister Takis Theodorikakos – and officials from the Union of Greek Shipowners held talks to promote the use of nuclear power in future shipping activities, including the transportation of goods and other products around the world.
Greece ranks amongst the world’s largest ship-owning nations, controlling a significant portion of the global commercial fleet.
ATLAS, rise!
The initiative, known as Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS), is the brainchild of the IAEA.
As head of the United Nations–run organisation, Grossi is making visits to various shipping bosses in Europe in order to promote the programme.
“We are at an important moment for nuclear science and technology, opening new opportunities for Greece, such as the IAEA’s ATLAS initiative for the maritime sector,” Grossi wrote in an online post.
Per the IAEA website, the ATLAS initiative is a new project designed to create a framework to enable the peaceful use of nuclear technology for maritime applications.
The programme seeks to trim down global greenhouse gas emissions, boost the efficiency of the shipping sector, and reduce global food prices.
It also seeks to develop a regulatory and safety framework for deploying nuclear reactors on commercial maritime vessels.
In previous talks, Grossi said that the IAEA will be responsible for the promotion, coordination, and facilitation of the new scheme, which draws upon existing standards and regulations for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards.
Grossi described the initiative as a big step towards safely harnessing nuclear technology at sea and potentially unlocking a wave of innovation in marine environments.
READ MORE: Europe performs U-turn on nuclear power
Risks and threats to nuclear power at sea
The possibility of having nuclear-powered ships has faced numerous issues in the past such as high investment costs, the need for comprehensive international regulation, and concerns related to safety.
Critics and groups against the scheme further cite risks related to terrorism, piracy, and increasing geopolitical tensions around the world.
As a result, nuclear propulsion at sea is currently limited to military use by advanced naval forces, powering submarines and aircraft carriers, but that could change in the near future.
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