The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration (Marad) have launched an initiative aimed at developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) for commercial shipping as part of the Trump administration’s broader push to expand domestic shipbuilding and maritime energy capabilities.
Marad issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry stakeholders, shipbuilders, technology developers, and operators on how SMRs could be integrated into the U.S. commercial maritime sector.
According to the agency, the effort is intended to explore how nuclear-powered commercial vessels could improve vessel range and endurance while reducing fuel costs and maintenance requirements.
The RFI focuses on several areas, including deployment methods for nuclear-powered vessels, regulatory and insurance frameworks, workforce development, and the integration of reactor production into U.S. shipyards.
The initiative also calls for industry feedback on how SMRs could support U.S. supply chains and national defense while expanding domestic maritime manufacturing capabilities.
The initiative comes as federal agencies continue laying the regulatory groundwork for advanced nuclear technologies in the maritime sector.
In December 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the creation of a Maritime Nuclear Policy Division within its Office of Design and Engineering Standards. The division was established to develop and implement policies governing the safe and secure integration of nuclear technology into the U.S. marine transportation system.
According to the Coast Guard, the new office will serve as the agency’s central point of contact for maritime nuclear policy and coordinate with federal agencies, international partners, industry leaders, academia, and national laboratories. The division was created as part of Coast Guard Force Design 2028 and broader Trump administration priorities aimed at revitalizing U.S. maritime industries and advancing emerging technologies. The Coast Guard said the effort is intended to support the responsible development of advanced reactor technologies while strengthening national security and economic competitiveness. Nuclear propulsion and advanced reactor concepts have drawn growing interest across the U.S. maritime industry in recent years as operators and policymakers explore alternatives to conventional marine fuels.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. is reclaiming its rightful place as a global sea power,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “To secure this future for America’s shipbuilding industry, we need to innovate. By partnering with industry experts and outside-the-box thinkers to develop a strong SMR model, we will deliver a state-of-the-art energy source that cuts costs and bolsters national security.”
Marad Administrator Stephen M. Carmel said the agency is approaching the effort as a broader system transition rather than solely a technology demonstration project.
“To successfully introduce SMRs, we must view this through a system-transition lens rather than just as a technology demonstration,” Carmel said. “We are seeking critical insights on how the government can help reduce systemic uncertainty, align regulatory structures, and enable the market conditions necessary for private capital and operators to scale these groundbreaking technologies.”
According to Marad, the initiative aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders related to energy production and maritime policy.
The agency said the effort will also examine credentialing requirements and workforce pipelines needed to support nuclear-powered commercial vessels and associated shipyard operations.
