India has joined the global Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative, aimed at leveraging nuclear power for maritime applications. This initiative, launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during a ministerial conference in Washington, seeks to explore the potential of small modular reactors for commercial shipping. The goal is to enhance maritime transport efficiency and reduce the frequency of refueling, thereby revolutionizing the shipping industry. IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi emphasized the importance of integrating the nuclear and maritime sectors to foster safe and peaceful nuclear technology use at sea.
Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, highlighted the initiative’s relevance to India, given its extensive coastline and growing commercial shipping sector. He noted that the ATLAS initiative aligns with India’s long-term energy vision, which focuses on sustainable, low-carbon power to support economic growth and energy security. India’s Nuclear Energy Mission aims for a capacity of 100 gigawatts by 2047, including the deployment of indigenous Bharat Small Modular Reactors by 2033.
Furthermore, Mohanty mentioned the recent enactment of the SHANTI Act, which opens nuclear power generation to private participation and aligns domestic liability frameworks with global standards. He expressed India’s readiness to contribute its expertise in nuclear technology development and capacity building within the ATLAS framework.
