30 Jan 2026
The IMO’s SDC 12 has now formally opened the first major revision of the 1981 Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships and SOLAS Chapter VIII in more than four decades. The meeting approved a work plan to update Nuclear Code and SOLAS amendments by 2030.
This move follows MSC’s recognition that the outdated Code is now a barrier to advanced nuclear technologies.Â
During the session, the Working Group on GHG Safety advanced several key areas of work related to nuclear propulsion. The Group agreed to:
A multi‑year work plan that aligns future nuclear‑related regulation with the IMO Goal‑Based Standards methodology,
Support for the development of a modernised Nuclear Code,
Emphasize alignment with relevant IAEA safety standards and initiatives, including ATLAS, as they become available.
Discussions highlighted the need to:
Identify gaps in the existing Nuclear Code,
Analyse inconsistencies with SOLAS,
Determine how best to restructure the Code for technology‑agnostic application and deepen cooperation between IMO and IAEA.
Delegations brought in nuclear regulators and the IAEA participated actively, reflecting growing global interest.Â
Early tasks include collating HAZID findings, identifying technical challenges for nuclear reactors at sea, and ensuring alignment with IMO goal‑based standards and forthcoming IAEA ATLAS guidance.
With timelines tight and resources limited, IMO progress will depend heavily on expert input and strong technical submissions. NEMO is prepared to contribute research, assessments, and task‑force deliverables to support the Code’s development. Now is the moment for stakeholders to engage, to submit data, proposals, and insights to help shape the regulatory foundation of nuclear‑powered shipping.
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