Port of Corpus Christi signs second SMR pact, eyeing nuclear‑powered ships and floating

**

Framework of the new partnership

The United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean P. Duffy, together with Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel and Texas Representative Michael Cloud, formally launched a second Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Port of Corpus Christi on 19 August 2026. The signing ceremony, held at the port’s headquarters, was attended by Port CEO Kent Britton and Commission Chairman Gabe Guerra, according to MarineLink.

The agreement builds on an earlier pact signed in May under the Maritime Administration’s small modular reactor (SMR) initiative – a programme described by the Department of Transportation as aimed at “developing commercially viable SMRs for the U.S. marine transportation system.” Both documents stipulate joint exploration of how SMR technology could be embedded into maritime energy systems, ranging from resilient microgrids to shore‑side power architecture capable of serving advanced vessel propulsion concepts.

Scope: from microgrids to nuclear‑propelled ships

The memorandum outlines four inter‑linked thrusts. First, the parties will evaluate SMR integration into port microgrids, with an eye on enhancing resilience against extreme weather and grid failures – a point highlighted by gCaptain, which quoted Carmel as saying that SMRs “could help reduce costs and make Gulf Coast maritime supply chains more resilient.”

Second, the study will map the requirements for shore‑side power infrastructure able to support emerging propulsion systems, including those that could be powered directly by nuclear reactors. Third, workforce development programmes are slated to equip local technicians with the skills needed to operate and maintain SMR‑based facilities.

The final element focuses on “safe transit and berthing arrangements for nuclear‑powered commercial ships,” a scenario that would position Corpus Christi as a gateway for future civil nuclear vessels. This ambition is echoed in the language of the MOC, which calls for “infrastructure capable of supporting emerging vessel propulsion concepts.”

Economic backdrop: why Corpus Christi matters

The port’s strategic importance underpins the federal push. It remains the United States’ largest petroleum‑export hub and a leading conduit for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Maritime Logistics Professional reported that LNG shipments from the terminal have surged by 81 % since 2022, reinforcing its role as a national energy gateway.

These volumes translate into high‑intensity power demand, making the prospect of on‑site nuclear generation particularly attractive. As gCaptain noted, “the Texas port is the nation’s largest petroleum export port and a major LNG gateway, making it a potentially significant location for studying how advanced nuclear power could support energy‑intensive port and industrial operations.”

By pairing SMR technology with an existing high‑energy demand base, officials hope to lower shipping fuel costs, bolster domestic shipbuilding, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels – objectives that Duffy reiterated in his remarks at the signing.

Private sector partnership: Core Power’s readiness study

In parallel with the federal agreement, UK‑based maritime nuclear developer Core Power announced a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Port Authority to assess “maritime nuclear readiness.” Ship & Bunker explained that the study will examine two pathways: positioning a floating nuclear power plant at Corpus Christi to supply firm electricity to the port and surrounding region, and establishing the harbour as a safe berth for future nuclear‑propelled commercial ships.

The Core Power collaboration complements the MARAD effort by focusing on practical implementation details – from grid connections and regulatory approvals for a floating plant to “safe transit and berthing arrangements” for nuclear vessels. The company has signalled that its Liberty programme aims to bring floating nuclear power to market in the United States by the mid‑2030s.

Manifold Times added that both the Core Power memorandum and the MARAD MOC together represent a “step towards translating maritime nuclear technology into practical readiness requirements for US ports.”

What this means for operators

For ship owners and charterers, the Corpus Christi initiative signals the emergence of a new fuel paradigm on the Gulf Coast. If SMR‑powered shore power becomes operational, vessels calling at the port could benefit from reduced bunker costs and lower emissions when docked, aligning with tightening environmental regulations. Moreover, the development of nuclear‑propelled commercial ships would open a niche market for ultra‑long‑range, low‑fuel‑consumption services – particularly attractive on routes where conventional fuel supply chains are vulnerable.

Operators should therefore monitor the progress of both the federal SMR studies and Core Power’s readiness assessment. Early engagement with port authorities on technical specifications for shore‑side power connections, as well as workforce training programmes, could secure preferential berthing slots once the infrastructure is in place. In the meantime, the announced 81 % growth in LNG exports underscores the continuing importance of traditional fuel handling at Corpus Christi, suggesting that any transition to nuclear or SMR solutions will need to coexist with existing petroleum and LNG operations for the foreseeable future.