The Port of Long Beach has become the first U.S. seaport to formalize a partnership with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) aimed at advancing small modular reactor (SMR) technology for commercial maritime applications, marking another step in the Trump administration’s push to revive nuclear-powered shipping.
The nonbinding Memorandum of Cooperation, signed Wednesday, establishes a framework for the Port and MARAD to work together on the development of nuclear technology for commercial vessels, port operations, and other maritime assets.
The agreement follows MARAD’s May request for industry input on designing a U.S.-built, commercially viable small modular reactor for the nation’s marine transportation system. It also comes as interest in nuclear propulsion has grown across the shipping industry, driven by the need to decarbonize long-distance shipping while improving energy security and operational endurance.
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