Long Beach Becomes First US Seaport to Formalise Maritime Nuclear Pact with MARAD

(Port News) The Port of Long Beach has become the first US seaport to formalise a partnership with the US Maritime Administration to advance small modular reactor technology for commercial vessels, ports and other maritime assets, according to the Port of Long Beach.

The nonbinding memorandum of cooperation, signed on 22 July 2026, will bring the port and MARAD together with private-sector partners to develop, test and assess maritime applications for small modular reactors.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership with MARAD allows us to leverage strong federal leadership and private sector innovation to catalyse SMR technology as we safely and securely support the next generation of shipping,” Port of Long Beach chief executive Noel Hacegaba said.

The agreement follows MARAD’s 7 May 2026 request for information seeking industry input on a US-built, scalable and commercially viable SMR for the country’s marine transportation system. It also complements a lease agreement between the port and BlueCore Energy Inc that allows the company to assemble, test and store maritime power modules.

Long Beach and MARAD will work with the US Coast Guard, Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission on operating protocols, safety standards and inspection procedures for the arrival and servicing of SMR-powered vessels at US ports.

The initiative comes as Long Beach targets a doubling of annual container volumes to 20m units by 2050. The port plans $3.3bn of capital investment over the next decade and handles cargo valued at $300bn annually, supporting 2.7m US jobs.

Long Beach is home to two MARAD Ready Reserve vessels, the *Cape Island* and *Curtiss*, and is one of 18 designated US Commercial Strategic Seaports.

The Port of Long Beach is a public seaport operated by the City of Long Beach through its Harbor Department and governed by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.

MARAD is an agency of the US Department of Transportation responsible for programmes supporting the US merchant marine, maritime transportation system, ports and sealift readiness.

BlueCore Energy Inc is a US energy and technology company developing small modular reactor systems and maritime power modules. READ MORE

Excerpt from American Journal of Transportation: “Under President Trump’s and Secretary Duffy’s leadership, MARAD is taking decisive action to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding and secure our national energy dominance,” said Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. “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.”

“This Memorandum of Cooperation with MARAD positions the Port of Long Beach to help develop energy sources for the goods movement industry while maintaining our role as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade,” said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Frank Colonna. “This aligns well with our track record of testing and demonstrating innovative new technologies at the Port of Long Beach.”

The agreement builds on momentum from MARAD’s May 7, 2026 Request for Information, issued in the Federal Register, seeking industry input on the development of a U.S.-built, scalable and commercially viable SMR for the nation’s marine transportation system. It also complements the Port’s new lease agreement with BlueCore Energy Inc., which allows the company to assemble, test and store maritime power modules, adding private-sector expertise to this the partnership with an American energy and technology company on the forefront of SMR development.

Demand for reliable electricity sources is forecast to grow substantially as the Port pursues a goal to double container volume by 2050. 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 the 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. READ MORE