The International Maritime Organization participated in a high-level forum convened by the International Atomic Energy Agency to launch the ATLAS initiative, which aims to strengthen international cooperation on nuclear technologies used at sea.

The forum was held in Washington, D.C., on 26-27 August 2026. ATLAS, short for Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea, has been established amid growing international interest in advanced maritime nuclear applications. Its focus is the safe, secure and safeguarded use of such technologies.

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During the event, the IMO contributed to discussions concerning the frameworks that would be required for the possible future deployment of nuclear-powered vessels and other maritime nuclear applications. The areas considered included legal and regulatory arrangements, safety and security requirements, nuclear safeguards and liability.

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Masud Karim, IMO Deputy Director at the Maritime Safety Division responsible for Marine Technology and Cargoes, outlined the organization’s mandate covering global ship safety, maritime security and protection of the marine environment. He also emphasized that the IAEA has a complementary role in matters relating to nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards.

The ATLAS initiative is expected to create a structured forum through which governments, regulators, international organizations, industry representatives and other stakeholders can discuss the development and oversight of maritime nuclear technologies. The platform is intended to support coordination across the different legal, technical and institutional responsibilities involved.

IMO said its involvement in the launch reflects its commitment to continued cooperation with the IAEA and IMO Member States. That cooperation is intended to ensure that any future innovation involving nuclear technology at sea is underpinned by strong international standards and maintains high levels of safety, security and environmental protection.

The initiative remains focused on preparing the international framework for potential future applications. The source announcement did not identify specific ship projects, deployment schedules or proposed regulatory amendments linked to ATLAS.