U.S. Takes Next Step Toward Nuclear-Powered Commercial Ships

The U.S. Maritime Administration has signed an agreement with nuclear technology developer CORE POWER to explore a pathway toward U.S.-flagged nuclear-powered commercial ships, expanding the Trump administration’s push to bring small modular reactors into the maritime sector.

MARAD and CORE POWER (US) Inc. announced the Memorandum of Cooperation on Monday, establishing a framework to address some of the biggest obstacles facing commercial nuclear propulsion, including regulatory approval, port operations, crew credentialing, nuclear fuel and lifecycle services, insurance and financing.

The agreement is the third signed by the Department of Transportation since Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a maritime small