Bluecore Energy Secures Uranium for Floating Nuclear Project | Mariner News

Bluecore Energy has secured low-enriched uranium for its floating nuclear power system, marking a significant step beyond reactor design and non-fuelled hardware development. The US-based nuclear energy firm purchased uranium hexafluoride (UF6) enriched to 4.95% uranium-235 through nuclear fuel intermediary WMC.

The acquired material is currently held at a US nuclear fuel facility outside California and is earmarked for future fuel fabrication, testing, and validation. This acquisition moves Bluecore closer to operationalizing its technology, requiring UF6 to be converted into uranium dioxide and then fabricated into fuel before reactor use.

This tangible progress on the fuel cycle follows Bluecore’s structured engagement with key regulatory bodies. The company began pre-application engagement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in August, presenting an overview of its design and discussing its regulatory strategy. Concurrently, Bluecore is collaborating with the US Coast Guard on requirements for future maritime deployment.

Such a holistic and multi-agency regulatory engagement, combined with tangible fuel acquisition, signals a serious intent to not only develop the technology but also establish a viable compliance pathway. This approach could set important precedents and streamline future regulatory processes for other developers exploring advanced nuclear applications in the maritime sector.

In June, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) granted an approval in principle for Bluecore’s floating nuclear power plant design, outlining key technical requirements. These advancements collectively underscore the project’s momentum in supporting the broader adoption of nuclear energy in waterborne applications.