UK's CORE POWER signs agreement with Texas port to study floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered ships

en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK-based maritime nuclear energy developer CORE POWER has signed an agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority in Texas to study whether the US port could host floating nuclear power plants and routinely receive nuclear-powered commercial vessels.

This site-specific maritime nuclear readiness study advances along two tracks, targeting infrastructure for floating power generation and nuclear-powered vessel calls respectively. The floating plant segment will assess ocean and site conditions, water intake and discharge, grid connectivity, customers and power offtake, potential locations and mooring arrangements, as well as safety, security, licensing, operations, maintenance, and long-term service support. The vessel segment will examine navigation and berthing, port stay safety, cargo interfaces, emergency preparedness, liability allocation, classification, and the division of responsibilities among US and international maritime and nuclear regulatory authorities.

The study remains at a preliminary stage and does not involve site selection, reactor type or supplier choices, does not initiate licensing, does not commit investment, does not approve construction, and does not authorize the deployment of floating nuclear power plants or nuclear-powered vessel calls. CORE POWER CEO Mikal Bøe said the port offers a working commercial environment where floating power generation and nuclear propulsion can be assessed separately while evaluating shared infrastructure, regulatory, and commercial requirements.

The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) launched a related initiative in May and signed an agreement with the Port of Long Beach in California in June to establish the nation's first nuclear-powered vessel test zone. On August 19, the Port of Corpus Christi reached another agreement with MARAD, with both parties agreeing to jointly explore small modular reactors, resilient port microgrids, shore power systems, emerging vessel propulsion technology infrastructure, and workforce development.

Port of Corpus Christi customers moved a record 110.3 million tons of cargo through the waterway in the first half of 2026, including 66 million tons of crude oil and 11.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

CORE POWER is headquartered in London with offices in Washington, D.C., and Tokyo. As a maritime nuclear systems integrator, the company is developing industrial platforms for floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered commercial vessels. The Port of Corpus Christi Authority is the participating Texas port authority, and MARAD is an agency within the US Department of Transportation.