The Port of Long Beach has formalised a pioneering partnership with the Maritime Administration to explore small modular reactor technology, signalling a potential shift towards nuclear-powered ships and resilient maritime infrastructure in the US.
The Port of Long Beach has become the first US seaport to formalise a partnership with the Maritime Administration over small modular reactor technology, in a move that could eventually shape how ships are powered and how major ports secure their electricity supplies. According to reporting by Port Technology and the American Nuclear Society, the memorandum of cooperation was signed in Washington, DC, on 22 July and is intended to explore nuclear applications for commercial vessels, port operations and related maritime infrastructure. The agreement is non-binding and does not commit either side to funding or procurement decisions, but it does establish an official framework for work that until now has largely remained theoretical.
The port’s leadership has presented the deal as a practical response to the scale of Long Beach’s future growth. According to the port and its supporters, the container gateway handled a record 9.9 million TEU in 2025 and is aiming to double throughput by 2050, a target that would demand far more resilient energy systems than today’s infrastructure. Port Technology reported that the collaboration is meant to examine not only SMRs, but also resilient microgrids, shoreside power architecture and other emerging propulsion concepts, while also supporting workforce development for the next generation of maritime jobs.
Stephen M. Carmel, the Maritime Administrator, described the move as bringing SMR technology into active testing, according to the reporting from the American Nuclear Society and Port Technology. Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners president Frank Colonna said the arrangement would help the port develop energy sources for the goods movement industry while keeping its role as a leading trans-Pacific trade hub. The port’s chief executive, Noel Hacegaba, said the partnership gives the port a way to combine federal leadership with private-sector innovation to advance the technology safely and securely.
The initiative also brings together several federal bodies that will be essential if nuclear-powered vessels are ever to call at American ports in commercial service. MARAD, the Port of Long Beach, the US Coast Guard, the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are expected to work on operational protocols, safety standards and inspection procedures. As Port Technology noted, those arrangements do not yet exist for commercial nuclear shipping, which means the partnership is as much about building regulatory architecture as it is about testing hardware.
The Long Beach agreement follows MARAD’s request for information in May 2026 on developing a US-built, scalable and commercially viable SMR for the marine transportation system. In that sense, the port deal appears to be the first concrete follow-on to an industry consultation that helped push the issue from policy discussion into structured collaboration. It also comes amid broader interest in nuclear propulsion for shipping, with the American Nuclear Society reporting that classification society ABS has already granted preliminary design approval for a 15,000 TEU nuclear-powered containership concept developed with Samsung Heavy Industries. For now, the Long Beach pact is only a starting point, but it signals that nuclear power is moving closer to the centre of maritime planning.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [2], [3]
– Paragraph 2: [2], [4]
– Paragraph 3: [2], [3]
– Paragraph 4: [2], [4]
– Paragraph 5: [3], [4]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://energiesmedia.com/long-beach-nuclear-power-shipping/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.porttechnology.org/marad-port-of-long-beach-partner-on-small-modular-reactors/ – On July 23, 2026, the Port of Long Beach signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to explore the deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technology at the port. This partnership aims to modernise American port energy infrastructure by advancing maritime energy systems, including the integration of SMR technologies, resilient port microgrids, shoreside power architecture, and infrastructure supporting emerging vessel propulsion concepts. The collaboration also focuses on workforce development initiatives to support the next generation of shipping. Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, highlighted the significance of this partnership in leveraging federal leadership and private sector innovation to advance SMR technology safely and securely. Stephen M. Carmel, Maritime Administrator, emphasised the milestone of bringing SMR technology into active testing, ensuring maritime supply chains remain operational under various contingencies while training skilled American mariners. The agreement represents a significant step in revitalising U.S. shipbuilding and securing national energy dominance. The partnership also includes collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Energy, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to define operational protocols, safety standards, and inspection processes for SMR-powered vessels at U.S. ports. This initiative aligns with the Port of Long Beach’s long-term strategy to explore emerging technologies while prioritising safety and environmental sustainability. The study does not commit Port funding or endorse any specific nuclear technology, but aims to prepare the port for future clean energy technologies. The agreement is nonbinding and does not commit either party to funding, procurement decisions, or the adoption of any specific technology. The initiative forms part of the Port of Long Beach’s long-term strategy to explore emerging technologies while prioritising safety and environmental sustainability.
- https://www.ans.org/news/2026-07-28/article-8250/long-beach-is-first-port-to-partner-with-marad-on-maritime-reactors/ – On July 28, 2026, the Port of Long Beach became the first U.S. seaport to formalise a partnership with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to advance the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) for powering commercial vessels, ports, and other maritime assets. The Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) establishes a framework for developing nuclear technology for commercial vessels and port operations. The partnership coordinates with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Energy, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop operational protocols and safety standards for future SMR-powered vessels. Frank Colonna, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners president, noted that the MOC positions the Port of Long Beach to help develop energy sources for the goods movement industry while maintaining its role as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade. MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel characterised the agreement as a milestone that brings cutting-edge SMR technology into active testing, ensuring maritime supply chains stay operational under any contingency while training the next generation of high-skilled American mariners. The agreement follows MARAD’s May 2026 request for industry input on developing a U.S.-built, scalable, commercially viable SMR for the marine transportation system. The partnership with the Port of Long Beach is a direct follow-on, moving from information gathering into structured collaboration. The work ahead is substantial, with protocols needing to be written, safety standards tested against real operational scenarios, and regulatory frameworks needing to catch up to technology that’s moving faster than the rules governing it. The coordination between the Coast Guard, DOE, and NRC on inspection and safety standards will likely determine the pace of everything else. Whether other major U.S. ports seek similar agreements with MARAD is another question worth tracking closely.
- https://en.portnews.ru/news/394573/ – On July 23, 2026, the Port of Long Beach became the first U.S. seaport to formalise a partnership with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to advance small modular reactor (SMR) technology for commercial vessels, ports, and other maritime assets. The nonbinding Memorandum of Cooperation, signed on July 22, 2026, brings the port and MARAD together with private-sector partners to develop, test, and assess maritime applications for small modular reactors. Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba stated that this partnership allows leveraging strong federal leadership and private sector innovation to catalyse SMR technology as they safely and securely support the next generation of shipping. The agreement follows MARAD’s May 2026 request for information seeking industry input on developing a U.S.-built, scalable, and commercially viable SMR for the country’s marine transportation system. The partnership aims to modernise American port energy infrastructure by advancing maritime energy systems, including the integration of SMR technologies, resilient port microgrids, shoreside power architecture, and infrastructure capable of supporting emerging vessel propulsion concepts. The collaboration also focuses on workforce development initiatives to support the next generation of shipping. The agreement represents a significant milestone in revitalising U.S. shipbuilding and securing national energy dominance. The partnership also includes collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Energy, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to define operational protocols, safety standards, and inspection processes for SMR-powered vessels at U.S. ports. This initiative aligns with the Port of Long Beach’s long-term strategy to explore emerging technologies while prioritising safety and environmental sustainability. The study does not commit Port funding or endorse any specific nuclear technology but aims to prepare the port for future clean energy technologies. The agreement is nonbinding and does not commit either party to funding, procurement decisions, or the adoption of any specific technology. The initiative forms part of the Port of Long Beach’s long-term strategy to explore emerging technologies while prioritising safety and environmental sustainability.
- https://www.porttechnology.org/marad-long-beach-sign-deal-to-trial-nuclear-powered-ships/ – On July 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) signed its first-ever agreement with the Port of Long Beach to explore the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) for commercial vessels, alongside other potential applications at the port. The agreement, signed on July 22, 2026, at USDOT Headquarters in Washington, D.C., marks a notable step for the Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest container gateways in North America, as it looks to diversify the technologies underpinning both vessel propulsion and shoreside operations. The deal represents a significant milestone, making Long Beach the first U.S. seaport to formalise a partnership with MARAD to establish nuclear-powered vessels for commercial service. The agreement follows MARAD’s May 2026 request for information seeking industry input on developing a U.S.-built, scalable, commercially viable SMR for the marine transportation system. The partnership aims to modernise American port energy infrastructure by advancing maritime energy systems, including the integration of SMR technologies, resilient port microgrids, shoreside power architecture, and infrastructure capable of supporting emerging vessel propulsion concepts. The collaboration also focuses on workforce development initiatives to support the next generation of shipping. The agreement represents a significant milestone in revitalising U.S. shipbuilding and securing national energy dominance
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 10
Notes: The article reports on a recent Memorandum of Cooperation signed on 22 July 2026 between the Port of Long Beach and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to explore small modular reactor (SMR) technology for maritime applications. This event is current and has not been previously reported, indicating high freshness. (porttechnology.org)
Quotes check
Score: 8
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba and MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. These quotes are consistent with statements from the official sources. However, the absence of direct links to the original statements raises a minor concern about verification. (porttechnology.org)
Source reliability
Score: 9
Notes: The primary source, Port Technology International, is a reputable publication focusing on port and terminal technology. While it is a niche publication, it is well-regarded within its field. The article is also corroborated by other reputable sources, including the American Nuclear Society and Port News. (porttechnology.org)
Plausibility check
Score: 9
Notes: The reported partnership between the Port of Long Beach and MARAD aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize port energy infrastructure and explore alternative energy sources for maritime operations. The details provided are consistent with industry trends and previous initiatives in the sector. (porttechnology.org)