The United States will host the ministerial launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency's new maritime nuclear initiative in Washington, D.C., on August 26–27, 2026, according to the US Department of Energy.
The program, titled Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS), aims to establish an international framework addressing legal and regulatory complexities for operating civil nuclear systems in maritime environments. The initiative is technology-neutral and focuses on setting standards for safety, security, and nonproliferation.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, the United States will hold an Industry Day on August 25, 2026, to allow American nuclear and maritime companies to display technologies. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said hosting the event positions domestic nuclear and maritime sectors at the forefront of energy innovation while advancing affordable and secure energy sources.
ATLAS will focus on deployments such as small modular reactors (SMRs), civil nuclear-powered vessels, and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs). IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that SMRs offer high energy density and extended operating cycles that eliminate frequent refueling for shipping and offshore systems.
Floating plants under the framework could supply electricity to remote and coastal communities, while supporting industrial uses such as desalination, oil and gas production, and disaster recovery. The framework will involve cooperation between IAEA Member States, the International Maritime Organization, port authorities, regulators, and commercial industry partners.
