IMO to discuss new safety rules for nuclear ships in London meeting

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will discuss updating its safety rules for nuclear-powered ships during its Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) meeting in London, scheduled in the second half of June. The organization’s current safety regulations for nuclear commercial vessels, outlined in the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships, have not been updated since its adoption in 1981. The code is seen as outdated and ignores new nuclear technologies that could play a significant role in the shipping industry. Proposed revisions aim to create a more flexible regulatory framework that will allow the use of advanced nuclear propulsion systems. The upcoming London meeting will address this issue, with several IMO member states and NGOs calling for change. So far, the use of nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping has been quite limited due to regulatory challenges, safety concerns, and inadequate industry experience. However, several companies are working to change that, aiming to make nuclear propulsion a key feature in the commercial maritime sector.