Why not?? The reactors to be used in these ships will be small compact units of a VERY different type from what was used in the 1960s attempt at building nuclear powered merchant ships:
The conversion of power from the reactor to the propulsion system will also be VERY different from that on the Savanah or San Diego:
More of a question will be the public reaction when such a ship calls at a port near them.
What is likely to be the reaction when a ship like this is due to steam up Chesapeake Bay, bound for the Gates terminal in Baltimore?
Let’s assume that it is a foreign flag vessel, manned by a small mixed international crew and, to make it worse, built in China.
Luckily this is not likely to happen for at least another decade, or more.
Maybe the public will be more accepting of new technology by that time.