Report on the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency/International Atomic Energy Agency symposium on the safety of nuclear ships, Hamburg, 5-9 December 1977

An extensive report of the conference reviews briefly each of some 65 papers presented during the 8 sessions. The main points arising from the Panel discussion following the papers are also summarised. It is concluded that the most likely application of nuclear propulsion in the near future is the nuclear icebreaker. There are also signs that the necessary international work is now in hand for attempting to solve the major problems which inhibit widespread application of nuclear merchant ships ie those concerning internationally acceptable legislation governing licensing and liability. (U.K.)