US startup fuels first floating nuclear barge with 4.95% enriched uranium
Bluecore Energy secures uranium hexafluoride for 10 MWe reactor targeting ports and coastal infrastructure
Bluecore Energy, a US-based maritime nuclear startup, has reached a critical milestone by securing low-enriched uranium for its first floating power system. The company, headquartered in Long Beach, California, purchased uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) enriched to 4.95% uranium-235 through nuclear fuel intermediary WMC. The material is currently stored at an undisclosed facility outside California as Bluecore advances toward fuel fabrication and testing.
UF₆ is a key component in the nuclear fuel cycle, used during uranium enrichment before being converted into uranium dioxide pellets for reactor fuel. This acquisition marks a significant step beyond Bluecore’s initial engineering and prototype work, bringing the company closer to deploying its compact water-cooled reactor designed specifically for floating platforms.
Regulatory and classification progress: floating nuclear reactor
Bluecore’s first system is designed around a 10 MWe reactor mounted on a barge, with initial applications targeting electricity supply for ports, data centers, and coastal infrastructure. The company also envisions longer-term use in ship propulsion.
The startup has made rapid progress on the regulatory front. In August, Bluecore held its first pre-application meeting with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), presenting its reactor concept and discussing potential licensing pathways. The US Coast Guard participated in these discussions, addressing the intersection of nuclear safety and maritime regulations.
Classification efforts have also advanced. In June, ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) granted approval in principle for Bluecore’s floating nuclear power plant concept—the first such approval for a US-designed system. This review established a roadmap of technical and safety requirements that Bluecore must meet as its design evolves.
Testing and future outlook
Bluecore operates from Pier D at the Port of Long Beach, where it is assembling and testing a non-fuelled maritime reactor module prototype. While no active reactor or nuclear fuel is stored at the port, the company has leased warehouse, landside, and submerged space for research and barge testing. Nuclear-specific testing will take place at a separate, undisclosed location to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
The company raised $50 million in a seed round led by Silverton Partners in September, following a $10 million pre-seed financing. The funds are allocated for engineering, hardware development, testing, and manufacturing, as well as ongoing regulatory engagement.
Bluecore’s work aligns with broader US efforts to integrate nuclear technology into maritime applications. In July, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Port of Long Beach signed an agreement to explore small modular reactors for vessels and port infrastructure. If successful, floating nuclear reactors could provide a scalable solution for decarbonizing maritime operations, though regulatory and public perception challenges remain.
As Bluecore advances its fuel and regulatory pathways, its progress will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders. The company’s ability to navigate the complexities of nuclear and maritime regulations could set a precedent for future floating nuclear projects in the US and beyond.
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