ports

Long Beach Port, Maritime Administration Team on Nuclear Container Vessel Development

The Port of Long Beach and the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration have entered a partnership to advance small modular reactor technology for commercial shipping operations. The memorandum of cooperation marks the first such federal-private sector initiative aimed at deploying nuclear power in maritime transport. The port moves $300 billion in cargo annually and supports 2.7 million American jobs. Recently, the port leased property to BlueCore Energy Inc., which is developing barge-mounted reactor technology. Marad issued a Request for Information in May on U.S.-built commercial SMR development for marine transportation. If successful, the project could result in the first domestic nuclear-powered merchant ship in decades. The effort reflects broader industry momentum toward alternative fuels, including LNG, ammonia, hybrid systems, and sail-assisted propulsion. Russia currently operates one nuclear commercial vessel and a fleet of civilian nuclear icebreakers.