The U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has released a new initiative to develop small modular reactors for commercial shipping.
The initiative calls for developers to design reactors capable of powering commercial cargo ships.
Officials say the intention of the project is reviving the American shipbuilding industry and strengthening national security amid growing global competition in maritime trade.
MARAD opened a request for information (RFI) asking shipbuilding companies, nuclear energy developers and other industry experts for ideas on how to create small nuclear reactors that can be built in the United States and used to power commercial ships.
Officials want the reactors to be practical and affordable enough to produce on a large scale, easy to replicate across many vessels while being capable of fitting into the existing U.S. shipping and transportation network.
MARAD will seek information that supports the agency’s goals and mission, including:
- Allowing commercial ships to travel farther and faster.
- Eliminating fuel expenses and costly maintenance.
- Reinforcing American supply chains and securing energy independence.
- Streamlining deployment methods to scale nuclear power across entire fleets.
- Establishing regulatory frameworks including liability, insurance and inspections.
MARAD is accepting responses to the Request for Information through Aug. 5, as multiple other federal agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy work together on the project.
Photo by Alexander Kliem from Pixabay
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