Nuclear maritime NGO takes consultative seat at IMO, IAEA

The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) has been granted NGO consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has received a formal invitation to participate regularly in the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"This recognition marks a pivotal advancement in NEMO’s mission to promote the safe, sustainable and responsible application of nuclear energy in maritime environments," NEMO said.

The London-based non-governmental organisation said the positions at IMO and IAEA will allow the organisation to be active in shaping international dialogue and policy "at the highest levels of maritime and nuclear governance". Specifically, NEMO said it will contribute expert knowledge, technical input, and strategic recommendations to support the integration of nuclear technologies in shipping, offshore energy platforms and floating nuclear power systems. And NEMO is set to participate in the IAEA’s upcoming Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea project, launching later in 2025. The global programme aims to support the development of regulatory frameworks for the use of nuclear energy at sea. 

One of the goals of NEMO is to work with IMO to establish a set of standards for using nuclear power on board commercial vessels. Additionally, the London-based NGO wants to work with IMO and the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop standards for floating nuclear power plants that can operate offshore or in coastal areas. Recent efforts have been aimed at potentially using modular reactors to decarbonise oil and gas production.

Among those joining NEMO is US-based small modular reactor (SMR) company Terrapower, founded by Bill Gates in 2008, nuclear reactor power plant company Westinghouse EC and Danish molten salt reactor company Seaborg.

Nuclear power could also potentially power zero-emissions ships and be used to produce e-fuels. HD Hyundai’s parent, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, has its sights set on developing SMRs for use on commercial newbuilds. It struck a deal in February 2024 to do just that with TerraPower and Core Power using SMRs based on TerraPower’s molten chloride fast reactor design.