London-based Nemo wants to develop standards for emerging sector
Nuclear shipping stakeholders have formed a new association that aims to help nuclear and maritime regulators in the development of standards and rules for the deployment, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants for the maritime industry.
Headquartered in London, Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation’s (Nemo) membership is open to companies with a “bona-fide link to the floating nuclear power segment” and who meet the organisation’s membership criteria, which includes “a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence”.
Founding members are classification societies Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas and RINA; nuclear shipping startup Core Power, shipbuilders HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Onomichi Dockyard and Vard; and nuclear technology sector companies BWXT Advanced Technologies, TerraPower, Westinghouse Electric and JEIL Partners.
Leading Nemo as its inaugural chairman is Mamdouh El-Shanawany, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s safety assessment section and global nuclear director at Lloyd’s Register.
“We are very excited to launch Nemo, which we believe will be a valuable and influential voice for floating nuclear power,” El-Shanawany said. “We invite all stakeholders who share our vision and values to join us and become part of this dynamic and forward-looking alliance,” he said.
Nemo will “provide expert guidance and promote the highest safety, security, and environmental standards in the development of this nascent industrial sector, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and advocacy among its members and stakeholders”, according to a statement.
A number of nuclear shipping projects are underway across the world as the industry seeks to decarbonise operations.
In December, London-based ship management company Zodiac Maritime said it was teaming up with classification society Lloyd’s Register to explore options for nuclear-powered vessels.
China’s Jiangnan Shipyard has unveiled a design for a vessel incorporating molten salt reactor technology.
In 2023, Generation IV nuclear reactor developer newcleo signed a cooperation agreement with Italian shipbuilding major Fincantieri and the Rina classification society to carry out a feasibility study into nuclear applications to the shipping industry.
