NEMO August 2026: From London to Washington D.C.,
NEMO’s Global Engagement Accelerates
Welcome,
This month has demonstrated that maritime nuclear has moved firmly from discussion to delivery. As governments, regulators and industry accelerate work to enable civil nuclear technologies at sea, NEMO is helping drive the regulatory, technical and commercial progress needed to bring these technologies into operation through our engagement with the IAEA, IMO, MARAD and our growing global membership.
NEMO is bringing the industry together at two exclusive networking receptions!
From London to Washington D.C., NEMO is uniting leaders from the maritime and nuclear communities together through two flagship events advancing collaboration, innovation and industry leadership.
NEMO is delighted to announce that we will be celebrating the launch of the IAEA ATLAS Initiative by hosting a networking reception in Washington D.C., U.S., on 26 August. We are proud to announce American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and EXCEL Services Corporation as Sponsors, alongside K&L Gates our venue host for this special event. We are sincerely grateful for their commitment and collaboration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the NEMO and the Nuclear Institute Conference and Gala Dinner, taking place in the iconic Trinity House, on 9 September in London, UK. This landmark event is made possible through the generous support of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and HD KSOE, Co-Headline Sponsors, CORE POWER, Partner Sponsor and Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP), Dinner Sponsor.
Through our NGO consultative status and technical working groups, NEMO continues to provide a trusted forum where regulators, industry, classification societies, insurers and operators can work together on the practical challenges of deployment.
NEMO members played a leading role at the IAEA’s Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety, held in Vienna, Austria from 29 June to 3 July. Federico P. Puente Espel and Jose Esteve from Bureau Veritas, Scott Edwards and Ioannis Kourasis from CORE POWER, presented papers, chaired sessions and participated in expert panel discussions, while Mayir M. Mamtimin, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Jez Sims, Lloyd’s Register and Kauan Andrei Flach, Amazul also delivered presentations to packed audiences. This is a wonderful demonstration of the impact of collaboration. We encourage members to continue sharing their experiences and achievements while representing NEMO at leading industry events.
NEMO is proud to bring a full delegation to the launch of the IAEA ATLAS Initiative in Washington D.C., U.S. from 25-27 August. NEMO has been invited to an Industry Day, followed by a ministerial high-level opening and technical plenary session, before a tour of the NS Savannah, the first nuclear powered merchant ship. Furthermore, NEMO is honoured to have been invited to participate in the ATLAS Launch event, Panel 1 discussion, “Why Nuclear Maritime Now? Demand, Opportunity, and Strategic Drivers” where I will be sharing NEMO’s perspective on the key considerations for maritime nuclear applications.
NEMO delegation will attend the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, from 14-18 September. We are inviting members who would be interested in joining the NEMO delegation to contact NEMO Secretariat. This is an important opportunity for our members to represent NEMO and ensure that the voice of the maritime nuclear sector is heard at one of the world’s leading international nuclear gatherings. As part of its broader engagement, NEMO will also be a part of the UK industry delegation coordinated by the Department for Business and Trade.
From 17-18 September, I will join a roundtable at the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference, co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), in Paris, France.
Ian Truman, Partner at Burges Salmon LLP, will be hosting the Working Group 3: Annorax – Liability and Insurance Workshop, from 7-8 October, at Burges Salmon LLP, in London, UK. As part of this event, NEMO will also be hosting its Annual General Meeting on 8 October, a hybrid event, with further details to be announced in due course.
Finally, I would like to extend gratitude to everyone who joined us for the Working Group 1 Workshop: Maritime Regulations for Nuclear Applications at Sea, kindly hosted by Meg Albrecht, at Lloyd’s Register in London, UK on 8-9 July. The quality of discussion over the two days demonstrated both the momentum building behind maritime nuclear and the importance of early collaboration if we are to establish practical, internationally aligned regulatory frameworks for the safe deployment of nuclear technologies at sea. As part of NEMO’s commitment to sharing the outputs of its Working Groups, we were pleased to circulate the NEMO Workshop Report – Key Findings and Next Steps, to both our Full and Associate Members.
For those enjoying a quieter moment this Summer and looking for inspiration for their reading list, we invite you to explore two new NEMO Insights: “Retail revolution: How cargo could become the hidden force behind nuclear shipping” available here, and “ATLAS and the emergence of a global framework for nuclear at sea” available here.
As always, we really appreciate all those who are representing NEMO at events and spreading the word. Follow NEMO on LinkedIn for our latest news and insights, and help amplify our work by engaging with and sharing our content.
See you in Washington D.C.!
Virginia Crosbie Chief Executive Officer, NEMO
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST FULL MEMBER
| CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF ATLAS NETWORKING RECEPTION |
NEMO is delighted to mark the launch of the IAEA ATLAS Initiative with an exclusive networking reception on 26 August in Washington, D.C., proudly sponsored by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and EXCEL Services Corporation, and hosted by K&L Gates. We are sincerely grateful for their commitment and collaboration.
We look forward to welcoming senior representatives from the IAEA, government and industry for an evening celebrating the launch of the ATLAS Initiative.
This invitation-only gathering will unite influential leaders from across the maritime, nuclear and infrastructure sectors, creating opportunities to build new relationships, share perspectives and engage with those driving innovation across the industry.
Speaker announcements will follow shortly.
“The launch of ATLAS is the most consequential development in maritime nuclear regulation in two generations: the framework agreed over the next few years will determine what is licensable at sea for decades to come. As a leading nuclear regulatory organization with significant maritime expertise, EXCEL is proud to sponsor this reception and to support NEMO’s efforts in bringing together the many players involved in nuclear maritime at this critical time.”
Dr. Donald Hoffman, President and CEO of EXCEL Services Corporation
“The momentum behind advanced nuclear technologies marks a transformative moment for the maritime industry, and ABS is committed to helping ensure their safe and successful adoption. We are excited to join NEMO in celebrating the launch of IAEA’s ATLAS initiative and bringing together leaders from the maritime, energy, infrastructure and government sectors to advance collaboration and international engagement around nuclear innovation.”
Patrick Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
NEMO & NUCLEAR INSTITUTE CONFERENCE AND GALA DINNER AT TRINITY HOUSE
NEMO and the Nuclear Institute are joining forces to launch a flagship Industry Conference and Gala Dinner at the iconic Trinity House on 9 September.
We are honoured to have the invaluable support of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and HD KSOE, our Co-Headline Sponsors, CORE POWER, Partner Sponsor, and Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP), Dinner Sponsor.
Overlooking the Tower of London, the one-day conference will be followed by a drinks reception and black-tie Gala Dinner. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities and seats remain. Explore sponsorship packages and register your interest here.
This signature, high-level gathering will bring together senior leaders from government, industry, and international organisations to shape the future of nuclear maritime. Speaker announcements and agenda will be released soon.
NEMO AT THE CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
As momentum continues to build around civil nuclear technologies at sea, NEMO is playing an increasingly active role in shaping the international agenda. Through our Working Groups, technical publications and engagement with governments, regulators and international organisations, our members are helping develop the frameworks that will underpin future deployment. Recent activity across the IAEA, IMO and U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) demonstrates both the growing pace of progress and the important contribution NEMO continues to make.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate how NEMO is helping shape the international regulatory, safety and technical architecture required for the deployment of civil nuclear-powered vessels.
NUCSAS Report
NEMO’s Nuclear Safety at Sea (NUCSAS) Task Force, operating within Working Group 2 – Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards, has produced a landmark report examining the applicability of the IAEA’s Format and Content of the Safety Analysis Report for Nuclear Power Plants (SSG-61) to nuclear-powered merchant ships.
Led by Ioannis Kourasis of CORE POWER, the report represents one of the first comprehensive industry-led assessments of how existing IAEA nuclear safety guidance can be applied to maritime nuclear applications. It provides an important technical contribution to the emerging international framework for civil nuclear-powered vessels and demonstrates the depth of expertise being brought together through NEMO’s Working Groups.
NEMO Representation Across the IAEA ATLAS Initiative’s Six Project Groups
The IAEA will formally launch its Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative in Washington, D.C. on 26–27 August 2026.
NEMO has been engaged with the IAEA throughout the development of ATLAS and is pleased to have been invited to participate in the launch event and the subsequent programme of work including six Projects Groups.
NEMO invited Full Members to nominate suitably qualified technical experts who would be willing to contribute to one or more of the ATLAS Project Groups. The NEMO Board will now review nominations and seek to ensure an appropriate balance of expertise and representation across the six Project Groups. This is an incredibly important opportunity for our members to help shape the future international framework for nuclear applications at sea.
STCW Task Force
As featured in SAFETY4SEA and Ship & Bunker, the NEMO STCW Task Force, led by Mark Smith at NorthStandard, is operating within NEMO Working Group 1- Maritime Regulations to explore how the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) frameworks may need to evolve to support future nuclear-powered merchant ships.
To support this work, NEMO has launched a stakeholder survey to bring together maritime training providers, reactor developers, ship operators, regulators and industry experts to identify future skills and competency requirements, building on the strong foundations of the existing STCW Convention.
To advance the discussion, Mark Smith will host a dedicated roundtable, to be announced in due course, to bring together expertise from across the sector and help shape the future conversation.
NEMO’s Contribution to MARAD Seeking Industry Input on Nuclear-Powered Commercial Shipping
Thank you to those NEMO members who contributed to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) call for industry views on the potential role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in commercial shipping. NEMO convened members from across the maritime, nuclear, insurance and regulatory communities with expertise in ports, regulation, insurance and maritime safety to help inform the response. NEMO welcomes any further contributions ahead of the 5 August deadline, that can be shared through the link here.
NEMO WORKSHOP FOR FULL MEMBERS
Working Group 3: Annorax – Liability and Insurance
7-8 October 2026
Location: Burges Salmon LLP, 6 Great New Street, London, EC4A 3BF
As momentum builds behind civil nuclear deployment at sea, questions surrounding liability, insurance and risk allocation are becoming increasingly important. From 7-8 October, NEMO’s Working Group 3: Annorax – Liability and Insurance will convene at the offices of Burges Salmon LLP in London.
Hosted by Ian Truman, Partner, Burges Salmon, this workshop will focus on the legal, insurance and liability frameworks required to support commercial deployment.
Discussions will include international liability conventions, insurance market perspectives, risk allocation models and the development of a potential future UK U.S. bilateral civil liability framework. The workshop will help shape one of the key enabling frameworks required for commercial deployment.
