UK-based organisations to champion development of international standards
The World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) and the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation (Nemo) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly help shape the future of nuclear-powered shipping and transportable nuclear power plants.
The partnership aims to champion the development of international standards for both the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials and the use of nuclear energy at sea or in remote deployment locations.
Under the MoU, WNTI will focus on the transport of nuclear materials and transportable nuclear power plants. Nemo will lead on issues related to nuclear-powered and propelled ships, including regulation, design, and operations.
For floating nuclear power plants, both organisations will work side by side.
The two organisations, both based in London, England, said the partnership comes at a pivotal moment, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) looks to launch the Atlas programme later this year, designed to help countries develop regulations and guidance for the transport of small modular reactors (SMRs) and use of nuclear energy at sea.
According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the maritime shipping industry is responsible for approximately 2.9% of global carbon emissions, and reducing this to meet net zero targets is a priority.
WNTI and Nemo said civil nuclear propulsion offers a pathway to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by replacing fossil-fuelled engines with compact, emission-free nuclear propulsion systems.
Meanwhile, transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs) can be delivered by sea or land to regions that lack reliable grid infrastructure or face energy security challenges. Once deployed, these reactors generate clean electricity – and in some cases, high-temperature steam or heat on site. In addition to electricity, TNPPs can support power-hungry applications like hydrogen generation or seawater desalination.
