India joins IAEA ATLAS push for nuclear-powered shipping and offshore energy

Washington,UPDATED: Aug 26, 2026 22:38 IST

India on Wednesday joined a global initiative to explore the use of nuclear power at sea, including for floating power plants and civilian ships. The Atomic Energy Agency launched the Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea, or ATLAS, initiative at a ministerial conference in Washington attended by Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty.

The initiative will study the use of small modular reactors for commercial shipping and offshore energy, as countries look at low-carbon power options for maritime use. India said the platform fits with its long-term energy plans and its expanding shipping sector.

Launching the initiative, IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi said, "By bringing together the nuclear and maritime sectors, we have the opportunity to shape the future of two crucial industries - energy and shipping - and to build global confidence in the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology at sea."

The IAEA said ATLAS seeks to explore the use of small modular reactors for commercial shipping, which could lead to higher-speed maritime transport without frequent refuelling. It added, "At the same time, innovations such as floating nuclear power plants provide versatile energy sources that could deliver reliable electricity to coastal or remote communities and industry."

Mohanty said the launch of the ATLAS platform was timely as it seeks to advance the safe, secure and sustainable use of nuclear technologies, particularly small modular reactors, for civilian maritime propulsion and offshore energy. "India's long coastline and our large number of offshore islands together with a vast expanding commercial shipping sector present exciting opportunities for deployment of small modular reactors in offshore energy supply and potentially propulsion of civilian vessels," he said.

He said ATLAS aligns closely with India's long-term energy vision of reliable, low-carbon power that supports economic growth, energy security and climate goals. Mohanty said the launch of ATLAS comes at a time of major change in India's nuclear sector, noting that the country has unveiled the Nuclear Energy Mission targeting 100 gigawatt nuclear power capacity by 2047 and the deployment of at least five indigenous-designed Bharat Small Modular Reactors by 2033.

Mohanty also said India recently enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy and Transforming India, or SHANTI, Act, which has opened nuclear power generation to private participation for the first time. He said the law aligns the domestic liability framework with the global liability regime and has further strengthened the status and powers of India's independent Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

"As a frontline nuclear power with proven capabilities, India stands ready to share its expertise and experience in indigenous technology development, closer fuel cycles, peaceful applications, and capacity building in taking forward the ATLAS initiative," Mohanty said. With India joining ATLAS, the initiative will now move ahead with exploring civilian maritime propulsion and offshore energy options based on nuclear technology.

With PTI Inputs

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