IAEA chief says new initiative to support nuclear power at sea

Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea to be unveiled at IAEA event

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday that the agency was preparing to launch a new initiative to advance the use of civilian nuclear technology at sea.

Grossi said he met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington, DC, ahead of the launch of Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS), an IAEA initiative intended to help pave the way for deploying civil nuclear applications at sea, including nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power plants.

According to Grossi, the initiative could support global trade and provide energy to remote communities and industries.

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"Delighted to be with @ENERGY@SecretaryWright in Washington DC ahead of tomorrow’s launch of ATLAS," he wrote on the US social media platform X.

Delighted to be with @ENERGY @SecretaryWright in Washington DC ahead of tomorrow’s launch of ATLAS, an @IAEAorg initiative that will help pave the way for the deployment of civil nuclear applications at sea, including nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power plants to… pic.twitter.com/SSuNlivy4d

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) August 26, 2026

He expressed gratitude for US support for the initiative and said the discussions with Wright also covered nuclear non-proliferation issues.

The talks included Iran’s nuclear program and Grossi’s recent visit to Syria, where he said “important progress” was being made.

The ATLAS initiative will be unveiled at an IAEA ministerial-level event hosted by the US in Washington, DC on August 26-27.