Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a Japanese transport company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hitachi, a multinational conglomerate, and Hitachi Systems, its information technology company, to study the use of retired ships as floating data centers, with commercial operations targeted for 2027 or later. The companies will assess demand, technical specifications and operating procedures for a “Floating Data Center (FDC) converted from a second-hand vessel.”
According to an MOL press release, the project is aimed at addressing rising demand for AI infrastructure and the constraints facing conventional data center construction. Initial markets are expected to be Japan, Malaysia, and the United States, where Hitachi already operates or supports land-based data centers. In Japan and other major markets, operators face limited land availability, rising power and water requirements, environmental restrictions and delays in permitting.
The proposed floating facilities would use existing ships moored at ports or along rivers rather than new land-based campuses. Converting a vessel into a data center could take about one year, potentially reducing development timelines by as much as three years compared to conventional projects.
The companies also plan to examine seawater- and river water-based cooling systems. AI servers, which require more power and generate more heat than traditional systems, are making data center operators look for more innovative cooling solutions. Floating facilities could use surrounding water sources for cooling, reducing electricity consumption and avoiding some of the freshwater constraints that have slowed data center development in parts of the United States.
Another focus is the reuse of existing ship infrastructure. The companies said onboard systems such as power generation, water intake and air conditioning could reduce upfront costs. They added that reusing existing hulls would lower the environmental impact associated with new construction.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will lead vessel conversion planning, maritime operations, port coordination and financing discussions. Hitachi and Hitachi Systems will handle data center design, IT infrastructure, security and operations.
Hitachi plans to eventually apply “HMAX by Hitachi”, a suite of AI-based tools for social infrastructure systems, to automate and improve operations at floating data centers. The companies will use a converted car carrier with about 54,000 square meters of floor space that could match the size of one of Japan’s largest land-based data centers.