Visit highlights engineering research, design and safety studies for maritime uses of small modular reactors
LONG BEACH, Calif. — September 8, 2026 — U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. Steve Carmel toured the Bluecore Energy facility on Pier D at the Port of Long Beach, marking an important milestone in the development of maritime nuclear energy. The visit highlighted Bluecore Energy’s ongoing engineering, research and safety work as the company advances its small modular reactor (SMR) technology for floating maritime platforms.
Capt. Carmel was welcomed to the Pier D facility by Bluecore Energy Founder and CEO Kofi Asante, along with the company’s team of engineers and nuclear maritime specialists.
Asante led Capt. Carmel and Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba on a tour of the facility, including a demonstration of the SMR Test Pressure Vessel currently housed on-site. The demonstration offered a closer look at the engineering, testing and safety work Bluecore Energy is undertaking as it develops zero-emission nuclear technology designed for maritime environments.
The equipment at Bluecore Energy’s Port of Long Beach facility is a non-nuclear prototype and contains no nuclear fuel or radioactive material. Bluecore Energy is developing compact, water-cooled nuclear energy systems designed to operate on floating maritime platforms. Future systems are being designed to provide scalable, zero-emission electricity for energy-intensive applications including ports, critical infrastructure, industrial facilities and other large energy users. Future deployment locations and operating configurations will be determined through the appropriate regulatory, maritime, environmental, security and safety processes.
“It was an honor to host Capt. Carmel at our Pier D facility today. His operational expertise and leadership in the maritime sector make his perspective invaluable as we advance this work. Building maritime nuclear energy requires rigorous engineering, testing and safety work from the beginning. We’re excited about the progress we’re making and committed to moving with urgency while doing this safely and responsibly.” — Kofi Asante, Founder and CEO, Bluecore Energy
“The maritime industry is facing an unprecedented mandate to decarbonize, and innovative solutions like floating SMR platforms will be critical to meeting those demands. Seeing the SMR Test Pressure Vessel firsthand and meeting with Kofi and his talented team reinforces the incredible potential of this technology. Rigorous engineering and safety studies are the right first steps to ensure this powerful technology can be deployed securely and effectively in our ports.” — Capt. Steve Carmel, U.S. Maritime Administrator
Bluecore Energy’s engineering and safety work is being developed in parallel with engagement with maritime classification societies, regulatory bodies and industry experts as the company works to meet applicable maritime and nuclear safety standards.
The Port of Long Beach was the first U.S. seaport to formalize a partnership with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to explore advanced maritime energy systems, including potential applications of nuclear energy in the maritime environment.
“This partnership with MARAD and Bluecore allows us to leverage strong federal leadership and private sector innovation to catalyze SMR technology as we safely and securely support the next generation of shipping. We’re building the Port of the Future™ in Long Beach, where we’ve led in global trade by moving $300 billion in cargo annually to support 2.7 million American jobs, and we will continue our tradition of leadership as we partner to advance nuclear energy in maritime and beyond.” — Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Long Beach
Bluecore Energy develops compact, water-cooled nuclear energy systems designed to deliver reliable, zero-emission power where it is needed most. Headquartered inside the Port of Long Beach, Bluecore Energy is developing floating nuclear energy systems for ports, critical infrastructure and future maritime applications.
For more information, visit bluecore.energy.
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