United States develops floating nuclear reactors for ports

The United States is developing floating small modular reactor (SMR) technology at major ports to revitalize the domestic shipbuilding industry, reduce costs, and expand energy capacity. The U.S. Department of Transportation has initiated collaborations to implement this technology, which features advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit.

In Texas, Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy signed a collaboration with the Port of Corpus Christi. In California, a project is underway at the Port of Long Beach involving the startup Bluecore Energy. These SMRs are designed to operate on barges, making them smaller and more portable than traditional nuclear plants. At Long Beach, the energy produced is intended to power port operations and visiting vessels.

While Bluecore Energy suggests a single SMR could power 15,000 homes, the project faces potential regulatory hurdles. California has maintained a ban on new nuclear power plants since 1976, and it remains unclear if these floating modular reactors fall under that prohibition.