U.S. must lead the maritime nuclear race — CORE POWER Summit to chart a new era

CORE POWER will use its “New Nuclear for Maritime: A new era for the United States” summit on February 4, 2026, at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. to set out the opportunity for policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to shape the future of America’s shipbuilding industry.

The summit will bring together senior leaders from the Administration and Congress, industry and NGOs to explore how advanced nuclear technologies can drive a revival of U.S. shipbuilding while strengthening national energy security and adding resilience to global shipping and the trade that depends on it.

The summit will take place against the backdrop of a global race to develop and deploy maritime nuclear systems for coastal energy and commercial shipping, with major strategic, industrial, and standards-setting consequences.

Delegates will hear how competitor nations are moving with strategic intent because they recognize what leadership in maritime nuclear confers: market access, influence over global rules, and long-term dependency through fuel, service, and certification conventions.

CORE POWER maintains that the United States has the strongest starting position to compete in this race with a deep civilian nuclear technology base, unmatched naval nuclear experience, world-class regulators, and a maritime heritage that is primed for reindustrialization.

But with international competitors biting at its heels, the U.S. must do all it can to protect its first mover advantage to secure not only its own maritime industry, but the standards which will govern the future of international shipping.

Mikal Bøe, CEO of CORE POWER said:

“This summit will be a significant opportunity for policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to shape the future of U.S. shipbuilding, through nuclear in maritime.”

“We believe that home-grown construction of floating nuclear power ships and, subsequently, civil nuclear propelled vessels is critical to revitalizing shipbuilding in the U.S.”

“However, several competitor nations have also recognized the opportunities from maritime nuclear, for energy generation and shipping, and the U.S. cannot afford to let others define safety expectations, operating norms, training pathways, liability conventions, and port access requirements, as these standards may not align with American interests.”

“First-mover advantage cannot be underestimated, and the U.S. can take the lead on the rules of the road: as a trusted nuclear and maritime nation, America is uniquely credible to shape modern maritime nuclear standards and regulations that are safe, transparent, insurable, and globally adoptable. This is an opportunity not to be missed.”