The US government under President Donald Trump has launched a new initiative to develop nuclear reactors for shipping. The project aims to reduce costs and make supply chains more energy-independent.
The aim of the initiative is to design so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for merchant shipping. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that the responsible Maritime Administration (Marad) would initially issue requests to industry and research centers to obtain “input”. Stakeholders from research and industry are to be encouraged to participate in the development of an SMR model.
The Trump administration hopes that the project will reduce costs for commercial shipping and increase resilience. The initiative is also intended to help revitalize shipbuilding as an economic mainstay in the US – there are currently virtually no ships being built in the country, something Trump has wanted to change since the start of his second term in office.
As part of the request for information, Marad initially named six core areas as targets for SMR development. According to a statement from the authority, these are
- Efficiency: reactors should not only be reliable and powerful, but also enable ships to travel greater distances in less time.
- Economy: SMRs would “largely eliminate” fuel costs and reduce maintenance costs.
- National security: The project is intended to strengthen American supply chains and consolidate energy independence, also with a view to national defense.
- Scalability: Where possible, nuclear power should be used in entire fleets and logistical networks.
- Shipbuilding and skilled labor: Reactors should be produced at U.S. shipyards to “build robust skilled labor pipelines and new qualification standards.”
- Regulatory readiness: Framework conditions for liability, insurance cover and inspections should enable smooth access to ports even before construction begins.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. is taking back its rightful place as a global maritime power,” said Transportation Secretary Duffy. “To secure that future for America’s shipbuilding industry, we must drive innovation. By working with industry experts and thought leaders to develop a powerful SMR model, we will deliver a state-of-the-art energy source that lowers costs and strengthens national security.” Duffy stated that the project would be realized at “Trump speed” – however, he did not give a specific timeframe.
Marad administrator Stephen Carmel added that the project should be seen as a “systemic transition”, not just a technological demonstration. “We are looking for critical insights into how the government can help reduce systemic uncertainty, align regulatory structures, and create the market conditions necessary for private capital and operators to deploy these breakthrough technologies at scale,” he said.
