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Posted On: 2/4/2026, 12:38:38 PM
Last Update: 2/4/2026, 12:38:38 PM
The 12th session of the IMO’s Sub-committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12), held from 19 to 23 January, created a high-level work plan for revising the Code of Safety for Nuclear Merchant Ships and for identifying amendments to SOLAS Chapter VIII regarding nuclear ships.
Particularly, the updated Nuclear Code, adopted as Assembly Resolution A.491(XII) in 1981, along with amendments to SOLAS Ch. VIII is projected for adoption in 2030, subject to change based on progress.
Discussions at SDC 12 revealed differing perspectives on rewriting the Nuclear Code, including the adoption of IMO Goal-Based Standards. However, all agreed that IAEA cooperation is necessary to connect the new framework with existing IAEA standards.
The 110th session of the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) acknowledged in June 2025 that the Nuclear Code is out of date and is a barrier to the use of cutting-edge nuclear technologies for ships. They formally agreed that the Code should be amended to solve this issue.
Under an ongoing IMO agenda item titled “Development of a Safety Regulatory Framework to Support the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships Using New Technologies and Alternative Fuels (GHG Safety),” MSC 110 gave SDC this responsibility.
In accordance with MSC 110 directives, the SDC work plan on the GHG Safety agenda encompasses the creation of safety guidelines for wind-powered vessels and the drafting of amendments to SOLAS regarding battery usage.
At the Maritime Online Courses, delegates learn about the Safety Plan for ships using nuclear, wind, and battery power, covering regulatory requirements, safety frameworks, risk analysis, emergency preparedness for multi-hazard scenarios, and key environmental and lifecycle factors for safe operations.
The work plan from SDC 12 is scheduled for presentation to MSC 111 in May 2026 for endorsement. To facilitate progress before the next annual SDC session, a correspondence group (CG) has been established by SDC 12 to focus on nuclear, wind, and battery-related topics.
The CG aims to create an inventory of challenges concerning the use of nuclear reactors in maritime applications and compile information on related hazard identification exercises.
CORE POWER participated actively in SDC 12, representing the NEMO and WNTI delegations. During the week-long discussions on nuclear energy, Unni Einemo, the Marine Regulations Lead, and Rosa Vilarino, the Director of Engineering, spoke multiple times, contributing to the dialogue on relevant topics.
Moreover, CORE POWER led a presentation and Q&A session for NEMO at SDC 12, targeting a maritime audience at the IMO. Titled “Nuclear Ships: First Principles,” the session included Principal Nuclear Engineer Ioannis Kourasis discussing key safety principles for nuclear ships.
While VP of Regulatory Development Scott Edwards covered the basics of nuclear security and IAEA Safeguards and their relevance to nuclear-powered vessels.
The session began with an introduction to NEMO by Meg Dowling from Lloyd’s Register and concluded with a Q&A involving NEMO’s Chair, Mamdouh el Shanawany, marking a successful event.
Interest in nuclear-powered ships is increasing, as shown by all seven proposals submitted to SDC 12 under the GHG Safety agenda being related to nuclear, with no proposals for wind or batteries.
Additionally, among the three documents on the GHG Safety agenda, two focused on nuclear, while only one addressed wind-assisted propulsion.
Several Member States indicated that there was increasing support for a specific regulatory framework for nuclear-powered ships by inviting national nuclear regulators to SDC 12, where the IAEA also participated extensively and presented its new ATLAS initiative, which is anticipated to formally debut in 2026.
As a founding member, CORE POWER will continue to support the Nuclear Code update through NEMO, offering data and specific suggestions to move the project forward.
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