Floating Nuclear at IMO: Protection of the Marine Environment from Potential Releases of Radioactive Substances

Abstract The International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) is considering alternative fuels and technologies to reduce the shipping sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, there is growing interest in deploying civilian nuclear power in the maritime space, be it for ship propulsion or as a floating nuclear power plant ( FNPP ), which may itself be nuclear-powered. Given the risks of deploying nuclear power in the maritime environment, there are regulatory concerns about such potential deployment. The IMO Maritime Safety Committee discussed certain safety aspects of such deployment at its meeting in May 2024. Beyond safety considerations, this commentary highlights another regulatory gap concerning the pollution of the marine environment. It considers the applicability of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships ( MARPOL ) to discharges of radioactive material from FNPP s, an issue that has yet to receive attention from IMO .