en.Wedoany.com Reported - On May 7, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) launched a new program aimed at developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) for commercial shipping.

As the first step of the program, MARAD is calling on innovators and industry stakeholders to jointly develop an SMR model to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, reduce costs, and ensure energy dominance. To this end, MARAD has issued a Request for Information (RFI), seeking input from industry and innovators to advance the following areas: deploying reliable, high-power energy to increase the range and speed of commercial vessels; reducing fuel costs and maintenance requirements; strengthening the U.S. supply chain and ensuring energy independence to enhance national defense capabilities; identifying streamlined deployment methods to integrate nuclear energy into fleets and logistics networks; integrating SMR production into U.S. shipyards to build a robust workforce reserve and new certification standards; and establishing liability, insurance, and inspection frameworks before construction to ensure smooth port passage.

MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel stated that the successful introduction of SMRs must be viewed from a systemic transformation perspective, rather than merely as a technology demonstration. They are seeking key insights on how the government can reduce systemic uncertainty, adjust regulatory structures, and create market conditions that enable private capital and operators to scale these breakthrough technologies.

It is reported that the SMR program advances President Donald J. Trump's executive orders on unleashing American energy and restoring U.S. maritime dominance. To support SMR research and development, MARAD is collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy. Additional input will also be gathered through channels such as public workshops, comment hearings, and technical exchange meetings, with the comment submission deadline set for August 5, 2026.

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