The Port of Long Beach signed an agreement Wednesday with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration with the goal of developing “small modular reactor” nuclear technology to power commercial vessels.
Port officials said the agreement represented a significant milestone, making Long Beach the first U.S. seaport to formalize a partnership with the maritime administration to establish nuclear-powered vessels.
Under the agreement, the port and MARAD will collaborate with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to help define operational protocols, safety standards and inspection processes needed to support the safe arrival and servicing of SMR-powered vessels at U.S. ports, as well as to develop and share other best practices.
The agreement is nonbinding and does not commit either party to funding, procurement decisions or the adoption of any specific technology.
CEO Noel Hacegaba said the agreement will allow the port to leverage federal leadership and private sector innovation for the development of this technology.
“We’re building the Port of the Future in Long Beach, where we’ve led in global trade by moving $300 billion in cargo annually to support 2.7 million American jobs, and we will continue our tradition of leadership as we partner to advance nuclear energy in maritime and beyond,” Hacegaba said in a statement.
Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel said the agency is taking action to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding and secure energy dominance for the United States.
“This milestone agreement with the Port of Long Beach brings cutting-edge Small Modular Reactor technology into active testing. It ensures our maritime supply chains stay operational under any contingency while training the next generation of high-skilled American mariners,” Carmel said in a statement.
The agreement comes after the federal government issued a request for information on May 7 regarding the development of a U.S.-built, scalable and commercially viable small modular reactor for the nation’s marine transportation system.
Port officials said their partnership with the federal government complements their recent lease agreement with BlueCore Energy Inc. The port is allowing the company to assemble, test and store maritime power modules on its property.