Port of Long Beach Teams with Bluecore to Test Floating Nuclear Reactors

A collaboration between the Port of Long Beach and nuclear-tech startup Bluecore Energy aims to develop floating small modular reactors that could deliver emissions-free electricity to the busy harbor and later to surrounding cities. Bluecore, founded by Kofi Asante, has raised $10 million and is assembling prototype components in a warehouse at Berth 48, targeting power output comparable to 15,000 homes. Port chief Noel Hacegaba sees the project as essential to meet the port’s ambition to double container throughput by 2050 while cutting carbon footprints.

Federal regulators, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration, are crafting safety and oversight frameworks, emphasizing transparent public engagement. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted strong interest from data-center developers and utilities, whereas experts such as Alan J. Kuperman and the Union of Concerned Scientists caution about economic viability and security threats. The initiative remains years from deployment, pending regulatory clearance and community acceptance.