The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration signed a non-exclusive Memorandum of Cooperation with Core Power (US) Inc in Washington on Monday, creating a joint framework for developing nuclear propulsion in the American commercial shipping fleet. The agreement follows a recent Request for Information issued by the agency seeking a system-level approach to nuclear power in the US marine transportation system.

The framework connects the US Maritime Action Plan, released in February, with allied shipbuilding capacity and domestic nuclear integration work. Core Power said it is targeting first construction starts from 2028. The company plans to develop a dedicated US shipyard for nuclear installation, initial fuelling, testing, commissioning, refuelling and long-term support, while conventional hulls and marine systems would be built at commercial yards.

The cooperation agreement establishes a forum for government and industry to work through regulatory acceptance, port operations, workforce credentialing, fuel and lifecycle services, insurance, finance and industrial capacity. Reducing uncertainty across those areas is intended to give private capital the confidence to commit to ships, yards and supporting infrastructure. A reactor supplies sustained high power for years between refuelling, which removes dependence on conventional marine fuel supply chains.

The announcement arrived ahead of an International Atomic Energy Agency ministerial event hosted by the United States in Washington this week, launching an initiative to support maritime use of small modular reactors for civilian ships and offshore energy. Earlier this year the Maritime Administration also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas to examine small reactors, microgrids and advanced vessel propulsion for maritime applications.

Source: World Nuclear News - https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/core-power-teams-up-with-us-administration-on-maritime-nuclear