Earlier U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Technology Prosperity Deal. The MOU includes a commitment to explore opportunities for civil maritime nuclear applications, including by playing a leading role in informing the establishment of international standards, the potential establishment of a maritime shipping corridor between the two nations, and the strengthening of energy resilience for defense facilities.

The civil maritime nuclear sector includes floating nuclear power plants, which will be shipyard-assembled, affordable, and rapidly deployable power stations that can supply clean, constant electricity and industrial heat directly to customers in coastal markets.

The sector also includes the development of civilian nuclear-powered cargo ships, which are faster, have greater endurance, carry more cargo, and provide a completely zero-emission solution to power global shipping.

Commenting on the landmark agreement, Mikal Bøe, CEO of CORE POWER said: “This agreement between two leading nuclear and maritime nations recognises the economic benefit of civil maritime nuclear and that 2025 is the year it begins to go mainstream. CORE POWER has established close partnerships in both countries to build reactors suitable for maritime use, shape the regulatory environment for rapid deployment, and engage the shipbuilding sector on vessel design.

“CORE POWER stands ready to complete development of the civil maritime nuclear sector alongside the U.S. and UK Governments in a true public-private partnership for our common economic success”.

CORE POWER Board Member and former Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, Admiral (Ret.) John Richardson said: “Our two nations have long had a special and mutually supportive relationship across all elements of national power.  Now is the time for our combined expertise, industrial strength, and shared commitment to accelerate the deployment of safe, secure, and reliable new nuclear power in the maritime environment to strengthen our energy security and resilience.”