On 29 May, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with leading Greek shipowners and government officials in Athens to discuss the future of nuclear-powered commercial shipping.
The discussions centered around the IAEA’s newly launched initiative, ATLAS (Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea), which aims to create an international regulatory and safety framework for deploying nuclear reactors on maritime vessels. The initiative is designed to cut global emissions, boost shipping efficiency, and reduce transportation costs, with potential benefits for consumer goods pricing worldwide.
Greece was chosen as a key stakeholder due to its significant share of the world’s commercial fleet. During his visit, Grossi held talks with Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, and leaders of the Union of Greek Shipowners. In a public statement, he emphasized the opportunity ATLAS presents for Greece and the broader maritime sector amid evolving nuclear technologies.
While nuclear propulsion at sea has so far been limited to military use, civilian adoption faces challenges including high costs, regulatory complexities, safety concerns, and geopolitical risks.
The IAEA plans to work closely with governments and industry players to address these barriers and pave the way for broader adoption of nuclear technology in commercial shipping.
The Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, in its latest Zero-Carbon Fuel Monitor, highlighted the increasing readiness of nuclear propulsion technology for maritime applications. According to the report, the following priority areas to be addressed as outlined below:
#1 Tackling community acceptance with evidence
Community education is needed for a fair assessment of nuclear against other fuels and technologies, based on data and evidence. Technology trials in commercial shipping are required to create this evidence.
#2 Developing international standards
There needs to be an international approach for this globally connected sector. Currently, standards that are being developed are at the national level only.
#3 Reducing investment risks
More certainty over the technology and regulations is needed to form clear investment cases for nuclear, and business models will need to be adapted to account for the change from traditional fuel contracts.
#4 Defining port and port infrastructure requirements
Port infrastructure and requirements need to be defined in parallel to technology and regulation development for ports receiving vessels using nuclear propulsion. This includes adapting port facilities for refuelling and spent fuel management, with the technology concept and procedures standardised at an international level.
