The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and CORE POWER signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to lay the commercial, regulatory, and industrial groundwork for a future U.S.-flagged fleet of nuclear commercial cargo vessels.
What the initiative establishes
- Development of rules and procedures for the safe and economically justified entry into service of nuclear vessels.
- Work on port operations, workforce training, nuclear fuel, and ship life-cycle services.
- Consideration of financial tools, insurance, industrial capacity, and potential federal demand.
Timeline and technical approach
CORE POWER stated its goal to begin construction as early as 2028. Under its plan, the U.S. will combine conventional shipbuilding capacity with specialized capabilities for nuclear integration and ship life-cycle support. The company also intends to develop shipbuilding infrastructure for the installation of nuclear units, initial fueling, testing, commissioning, refueling, fuel unloading, and ongoing support throughout the vessel’s life.
Positions of the parties
MARAD links the project to strengthening the U.S. maritime industrial base and implementing the Maritime Action Plan. MARAD Administrator Steven M. Kermel noted that nuclear power in the commercial maritime fleet could be a promising direction, but only if a complete system is built: one that is safe, secure, certifiable, and financially viable.
Why this is seen as a priority
The initiative is advancing as the U.S. seeks to rebuild commercial shipbuilding capability and compete with China, which is also developing concepts for nuclear commercial shipping and related nuclear industrial capacities. For CORE POWER, the project is presented as a pathway to building competencies in nuclear-qualified labor, expanding the supplier base, and advancing heavy engineering in the country.
The agreement also builds on MARAD’s recent request for commercially viable approaches to the use of nuclear power in maritime transport and is aimed at creating conditions for large-scale deployment of such vessels.
GLOAPM.COM