Background

The risk picture in the Arctic is changing as the maritime transport, and the flow of goods and populations are increasing. The recent increase in nuclear-powered vessels and vessels transporting spent fuel and radioactive material adds new uncertainties into risk assessments and creates complex challenges in inter-sectoral cooperation as responding to maritime radiological emergencies in the Arctic. ATOMEX answers to these challenges and researches the topic together with the practitioners.

Objectives

ATOMEX aims to:

• Build knowledge on collaboration competences, complexity and development of exercises for the radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness within the maritime Arctic
• Research shared understanding of risk evaluation for safety in the Arctic
• Visualise risk evaluation for better safety in the Arctic
• Design an algorithm to support decision-making in radiological and nuclear emergencies

Activities

ATOMEX builds shared knowledge on collaboration competences and risk evaluation within radiological and nuclear preparedness and response operations in the maritime Arctic. Through case analyses, the project generates knowledge-based research on preparedness complexity in the Arctic and a shared understanding of risk evaluation between communities, search and rescue and radiation safety authorities and the maritime industry. The project focuses on exercise methods that can enhance collaboration competences to meet the challenges of emergency response complexity. ATOMEX designs a new intelligent algorithm-based model to support decision making in Arctic waters.

Laurea contributes to the project with expertise on the risk evaluations and the maritime domain. We also provide expertise on digital learning and are building a game on Search And Rescue (SAR) and Radiological and Nuclear (RN) preparedness and emergencies in the maritime Arctic. The game is targeted to the SAR authorities, RN authorities and others participating in the RNSAR exercises.

More information

Read more about ATOMEX publications on NORD University’s website.

ATOMEX is funded by the Research Council of Norway ant it is coordinated by NORD University from Norway. Other partners along Laurea are Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services from Germany, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Northern Norway (JRCC).