Shipbuilders Have Developed Floating Data Centers
Major companies in Asia are building marine data centers to solve land-based power and site shortages.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Data Centers
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Shipbuilding firms from South Korea, Japan, and Singapore have accelerated the development of floating data centers to bypass land-use constraints. These facilities leverage seawater cooling and modular construction to address global demand for expanded computing infrastructure.
Why it matters
Land-based data centers face significant obstacles in securing sites due to power grid limitations, complex permitting, and local public opposition. Floating designs offer a scalable alternative that requires no land and utilizes natural cooling resources.
New floating data center designs feature capacities ranging from 25-MW to 60-MW. Manufacturers utilize modular shipyard construction and the repurposing of existing ship hulls to improve efficiency and reduce project timelines.
The players
Keppel
This Singaporean company is a leader in marine infrastructure and began researching floating data center viability in 2019.
Hanwha Ocean
A major South Korean shipbuilder that recently unveiled a 60-MW-class floating data center and holds certifications for its technology.
Samsung Heavy Industries
This global shipbuilding conglomerate uses modular facility technology to streamline the installation of data centers near client hubs.
Seatrium
An international engineering firm that received basic certification for a 30-MW-class floating data center design in 2026.
American Bureau of Shipping
This international maritime classification society provides the technical certifications necessary for the safety and viability of marine-based infrastructure.
The details
Companies are utilizing modular facility designs for easy installation near client locations and repurposing ship hulls to lower costs. Hanwha Ocean recently unveiled a 60-MW-class unit at Gastech 2026, while other firms have secured certifications and engineering contracts to advance their proprietary technologies.
Timeline
Keppel began reviewing the floating data center business in 2019.
Keppel received government approval for its business in 2023.
MOL started a project to convert used ships in March 2026.
Seatrium received certification and HD Korea began joint development in July 2026.
Samsung Heavy Industries signed an engineering contract in August 2026.
The Tech Race
The development of floating data centers signifies a shift toward marine-based computing to overcome the geographical and power limitations of traditional terrestrial sites. This evolution follows the precedent set by the Shanghai submerged data center by moving critical infrastructure into aquatic environments.
For users and businesses, this technology aims to increase data center availability in regions where land or power is scarce. These floating facilities could eventually lead to more stable and lower-cost cloud services by reducing the infrastructure barriers that currently limit site selection.
The takeaway
Floating data centers demonstrate that marine engineering can solve land-use problems for high-demand technology sectors. Investors and stakeholders should watch for how these firms balance high construction costs against the benefit of reduced cooling requirements.
What happens next
Keppel aims to begin operation of its 25-MW floating data center in 2028, while MOL targets a 2027 launch for its repurposed ship-based units.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure behind modern computing in our Data Centers section.
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