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India’s nuclear ambitions have taken it to the seas and exclusive groups.
India has joined 25 countries in an IAEA-led initiative to explore the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power at sea called ATLAS.
What does it mean: ATLAS stands for Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea. It brings together the nuclear and maritime industries to study how Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could power commercial ships and provide electricity to coastal and remote areas.
The appeal is simple: nuclear power could offer a reliable, low-carbon energy source for shipping and offshore industries.
Why is the technology interesting: nuclear-powered ships could operate for long periods without frequent refuelling, making them potentially useful for long-distance journeys.
Floating nuclear plants could also supply electricity and heat to islands, coastal communities and offshore industries, while supporting applications such as desalination and emergency power.
The opportunity is sizeable. Around 80% of global trade moves by sea. If the technology matures, it could eventually power container ships, tankers, cruise ships, icebreakers and offshore vessels.
Why does India want in: India has a strong potential use case, thanks to its long coastline, offshore islands and expanding shipping sector. Nuclear power at sea could also support its broader goals of energy security and reliable, low-carbon power.
And India is already betting big on SMRs. It is targeting 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 and at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
The government has also put money behind that ambition. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹20,000 crore for the design, development and deployment of SMRs.
When could we see this: some nuclear maritime technologies could be commercially ready in the 2030s. But widespread adoption will take longer, as countries still need to establish rules around safety, security, regulation and the operation of nuclear-powered ships and floating plants.
So, ATLAS is essentially laying the groundwork today for nuclear power to move beyond land-based plants and into the sea.
PIB
