50 Nuclear Ships. Washington Prepares for a Maritime Revolution

The United States is planning a major transformation in maritime transport by developing a commercial fleet of about 50 nuclear-powered ships, aiming to boost American naval capabilities, revive shipbuilding, and explore new energy sources to meet rising electricity demand.

British company Core Power is collaborating with the U.S. Maritime Administration under a seven-year framework to accelerate the development of American nuclear-powered commercial vessels.

The plan includes container ships and liquefied natural gas carriers, with the first vessel targeted for delivery in 2033. Each ship is estimated to cost around $700 million, bringing total costs to $35 billion if the plan is fully implemented.

Although nuclear-powered ships will be significantly more expensive than comparable conventional vessels, project supporters argue that nuclear energy could deliver long-term economic and operational advantages, including reduced reliance on traditional fuel and the ability to operate for extended periods without frequent refueling.

The plan involves building ship hulls in Japan and South Korea, leveraging the extensive expertise of Asian shipyards, while work is underway to establish a specialized facility within the United States for installing nuclear reactors, conducting testing, refueling, and maintenance throughout the ships’ lifetimes. Corpus Christi, Texas, is among the potential sites for this facility.

But the most exciting aspect of the project goes beyond commercial shipping. Core Power is also exploring using floating nuclear power plants aboard ships to supply electricity near ports and facilities requiring massive energy loads.

According to The Maritime Executive, a maritime affairs website, this model could open the door to using nuclear-powered ships as mobile power sources. This could be especially important amid the rapid expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence, which require continuous, stable electricity supplies.

A nuclear-powered ship could dock near a demand center, provide energy for an extended period, then move to another location when no longer needed.

If this model proves both economically and technically viable, it could offer a flexible solution for delivering power to regions struggling to expand capacity on traditional electrical grids.

This move comes as Washington seeks to reclaim its position in the shipbuilding industry and counter China’s dominance in this sector. The U.S. also bets on its long-standing experience operating marine nuclear reactors—particularly in submarines and aircraft carriers—to develop a new generation of commercial vessels.