Cargo ship docked in Corpus Christi harbor in Texas.
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The U.S. government is pushing new strategic applications of nuclear energy to power commercial maritime operations at the ports of Long Beach and Corpus Christi.
The focus of two recent partnership agreements between the ports and the U.S. Department of Transportation both call for exploring the use of advanced vessel propulsion systems, small modular reactors (SMRs) and port microgrids.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the Maritime Administration’s pact with the Port of Corpus Christi on Aug. 19 in the latest such move.
“Small modular reactors have the potential to reshape America’s maritime sector, lower shipping costs, and bolster our supply chains,” Duffy noted.
Corpus Christi was selected due to its key role as the largest U.S. port for petroleum exports as well as its shipments of liquefied natural gas.
Concept of a small modular nuclear reactor power plant on a sunny day.
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Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel said integrating SMRs at the Port of Corpus Christi is meant to ensure “our critical Gulf Coast maritime supply chains remain resilient against any contingency, from extreme weather to power grid disruptions, while training the next generation of high-skilled American mariners.”
Each port now has a Memorandum of Cooperation with MARAD to explore the use of nuclear energy in SMR technologies, resilient microgrids, shoreside power architecture and infrastructure for emerging vessel propulsion applications.
In 2024, the Port of Corpus Christi’s top export commodities were mineral fuels ($80 billion), organic chemicals ($1.2 billion) and cereals ($619.5 million), according to the state Comptroller’s office. Its top imports were mineral fuels ($4.8 billion), ores and slag ($301.6 million) and machinery/equipment ($275.6 million).
Port of Long Beach
China’s largest shipping line loaded with shipping containers in the Port Of Long Beach.
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MARAD announced its agreement July 22 with the Port of Long Beach. At that time, Carmel described the pact as introducing “cutting-edge” SMR into active testing.
Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said this first of-its-kind agreement with MARAD would enable the port to develop next-generation shipping through strong federal leadership and private sector innovation.
“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 added.
According to port statistics, 90% of the cargo moving through Long Beach is from East Asian countries.
Its top imports are petroleum products, mineral goods, vehicles and parts, iron/steel products and chemical goods. Leading exports handled by the Port of Long Beach consist of petroleum products, ores, mineral goods, miscellaneous cargo and chemical products.
Promoting Nuclear Power in Commercial Shipping
International container cargo and freight ships docked in Seattle port terminals.
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The agreements with both ports are the latest steps by the federal government to hasten evolving nuclear energy applications in U.S. commercial shipping.
In May, MARAD issued a public information request to help the government develop American-made SMRs for marine transportation that are scalable, repeatable, commercially viable. Comments were sought by Aug. 5 for input on SMR system architecture, “insurance pathways, port acceptance, workforce development, and standards integration for vessel deployment.”
Fostering public acceptance in the U.S. of both increased nuclear energy use and promoting related new technologies are focus areas of the current administration that are likely to gain momentum.