CYIL vol. 15 (2024)

EZEKIEL ARCHIBONG as to the actual taxonomy of FNPPs. Each treaty must be scrutinized individually to unravel its potential applicability to FNPPs. The primary treaty that applies to nuclear safety is the CNS. However, it is doubtful whether the Convention can apply to FNPPs in the light of its restrictive definition of nuclear installation as only “land-based.” Issues on nuclear security present a novel scenario of the transportation of a reactor embedded with fuel in several international waters. This could also give rise to objections from transit states from granting passage of FNPPs based on their environmental impacts. One of the ways to resolve these complexities would be by establishing bilateral and multilateral agreements. Other potential solutions include the development of a dedicated legal framework for regulating FNPPs, harmonizing international frameworks, and fostering cooperation to advance safer nuclear technologies. 72

72 STEDING, D. J. ‘Russian Floating Nuclear Reactors: Lacunae in Current International and Environmental and Maritime Law and the Need for a Proactive International Cooperation in the Development of Sustainable Energy Sources’ (2004) 13 Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal 3, 711–712; LYSENKO, M. N., BEDENKO, V. M. and DALLNOKI-VERESS, F. J. ‘Legal Regulations of Floating Nuclear Power Plants: Problems and Prospects’ (2019) 3 Moscow Journal of International Law 59–67.

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