Core Power and MARAD aim to start construction of nuclear-powered merchant ships in 2028
Nuclear technology company Core Power has signed an agreement with the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to establish a pathway for US-flagged nuclear-powered merchant vessels, with construction of the first ships targeted to begin in 2028.
IMAGE: An illustration of nuclear-powered vessel. Core Power
The Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) aims to translate government policy into a practical framework for the commercial deployment of nuclear-powered ships. It will bring together government, industry and other stakeholders to address key challenges, including regulatory approval, port operations, workforce certification, nuclear fuel and lifecycle services, insurance and financing, industrial capacity and potential demand.
By reducing uncertainty across these areas, the initiative is intended to give private investors greater confidence to commit capital to nuclear-powered vessels, shipyards and supporting infrastructure.
As part of its plan, Core Power intends to develop a dedicated US nuclear-grade shipyard capable of handling "nuclear installation, initial fuelling, testing, commissioning, refuelling, defuelling and through-life support."
The proposed facility would support the deployment of a commercial nuclear-powered fleet while strengthening the wider US maritime industrial base by expanding its pool of nuclear-qualified workers, specialised suppliers and heavy-engineering capabilities.
Nuclear power could reshape commercial shipping
Nuclear propulsion could fundamentally alter the economics and operating model of commercial vessels. Reactors can provide sustained high power for years between refuelling, reducing dependence on conventional marine fuels and eliminating propulsion-related emissions.
The technology could also allow vessels to maintain higher speeds without the same fuel-volume and fuel-price constraints faced by conventional ships, potentially opening new possibilities for long-distance commercial shipping.
Core Power’s growing US push
Core Power has stepped up its efforts to advance nuclear propulsion in US shipping. Earlier this month, the company proposed the use of light-water reactors, follow-on vessel orders and early route selection as ways to accelerate nuclear deployment, in response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by MARAD in May.
Separately, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority has signed agreements with both MARAD and Core Power to assess the potential deployment of nuclear technology in US commercial shipping.
The latest agreement marks another step towards moving nuclear-powered merchant vessels from policy discussions and technical studies towards an industrial and commercial reality.
By Tuhin Roy
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