The IMO has launched a plan to update nuclear ship safety codes, targeting revisions by 2030, with industry collaboration and IAEA involvement.
The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed on a high-level work plan to update the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships and amend SOLAS Chapter VIII, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
The plan was developed during the 12th session of the Sub-committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12) held in January. The adoption of the revised Nuclear Code and SOLAS amendments is targeted for 2030, although the timeline may change depending on progress.
Delegates debated how to revise the Nuclear Code, with broad agreement that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be involved to align IMO rules with current nuclear standards. This work is part of the IMO's wider GHG Safety agenda, which also covers wind power and battery use.
The plan will be presented to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) in May 2026. SDC 12 agreed to form a correspondence group to prepare an inventory of challenges for nuclear ships and collate hazard identification data.
Industry input was prominent, with CORE POWER presenting on nuclear safety principles and safeguards. Several member states brought nuclear regulators to the meeting, while the IAEA outlined its role and the forthcoming ATLAS initiative for civil nuclear-powered ships.
Interest in nuclear shipping is growing, with all seven proposals submitted to SDC 12 under the GHG Safety agenda item focused on nuclear. CORE POWER stated it will continue working through NEMO to support the update of the Nuclear Code.
