In the 1980s concern throughout the world was growing about the use of the oceans by nuclear-powered naval vessels and naval vessels carrying nuclear weapons. Many countries were keen to keep their ports and the waters off their coastlines "nuclear-free". Originally published in 1986, this book presents a worldwide survey of the state of the nuclear use of the oceans and assesses the prospects for denuclearisation at the time. It looks at the legal background, the practical issues and the attitudes and positions in different parts of the world.

'... while regional efforts of disarmament and arms control are necessary, so are global efforts. At the same time, international legal norms, including the Law of the Sea, must be adopted and utilized in the ever difficult search for world peace'. Arvid Pardo.