US bets on nuclear-powered cargo ships to outpace China in shipbuilding

Washington is pursuing a public-private push with London-based Core Power to develop a US-flagged nuclear-powered merchant fleet to challenge China’s dominance in shipbuilding, including a framework for rapid licensing, insurance and port access; the first vessel could begin construction in 2028, backed by about $200 million in private funding from Mitsui, Mitsubishi and Sumitomo with no federal funding guarantee. Proponents say nuclear propulsion could deliver faster, higher-capacity ships with lower fuel costs, but critics warn about liability, insurance, crew training and public acceptance, with most expecting commercial ships no earlier than the 2030s; MIT’s design has received ABS approval, and officials plan international talks to advance the technology.