The United States hosts a forum to launch the Atlas initiative on marine nuclear energy
Washington, Aug 6 (KUNA) -- The United States announced on Thursday its intention to host a high-level international forum dedicated to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) pioneering initiative, known as “Atomic Power for Applications at Sea” (APAS), on August 26 and 27 in Washington.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said the event will bring together ministers, policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders from around the world “to chart a bold path toward the safe and secure deployment of civilian nuclear applications at sea.” It added that nuclear energy “holds immense potential to transform the commercial shipping sector, including enabling faster maritime transport without the need for frequent refueling.”
The statement further noted that advanced innovations such as floating nuclear power plants powered by small modular and advanced reactors “can provide reliable power to remote and coastal communities and drive industrial advancements in water desalination and offshore energy production.”
It pointed out that through the APAS initiative, the IAEA will “bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, from member states to industry innovators, to address the legal, regulatory, and technical challenges standing between vision and reality.”
The statement emphasized that the initiative represents a unique first opportunity, whose success will depend on “strong and sustained cooperation among IAEA member states, the International Maritime Organization, port authorities, nuclear and maritime regulatory bodies, and the industry sector.”
It highlighted that this global partnership will work together to “advance a new era of reliable and scalable offshore nuclear energy, stimulate innovation in nuclear technologies, and expand access to nuclear energy.”
In the same statement, the United States announced that Washington would host an “Industry Day” on the eve of the initiative’s announcement forum, “to highlight leading American innovators in the fields of nuclear energy and maritime industries and to showcase U.S. leadership at the forefront of civilian marine nuclear energy technology.” (End) R.R. / T.M.A.
