Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), a prominent South Korean ship-building company that is part of the wider Samsung conglomerate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Joint Development Project (JDP) with Lloyd’s Register (LR), a provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, and Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp, for a floating data center (FDC) design.
Simply put, a floating data center is a data center built on a floating platform or a barge. This not only enables innovative water cooling methods, but also addresses concerns surrounding land scarcity. Research by Market.us shows that the global floating data center market was valued at US$ 316.7 million in 2024, and projected to grow to US$ 828.9 million in 2033 at a CAGR of 10.10 percent.
Presented at Posidonia 2026, the JDP covers a floating data center concept that uses shipbuilding methods to create scalable offshore digital infrastructure. In a press release, the companies explained, “By combining marine engineering with advanced data center technology, it offers an alternative to land-based facilities, where limits on space, power and cooling are becoming more pressing.” They further said, “The concept uses standardised shipbuilding processes to reduce delivery times, while integrating its own onboard power generation system to ease pressure on shore grids and utilizing seawater cooling.”
Young-kyu Ahn, Chief Technology Officer, Samsung Heavy Industries, said, “This FDC concept represents a natural extension of our shipbuilding capabilities into the digital infrastructure sector. Combined with sustainable energy solutions, it will set new standards in the global data market and serve as a key driver of future growth.”
Nick Brown, CEO, Lloyd’s Register, said, “This agreement highlights how owners and yards are rethinking asset strategy as digital infrastructure demand accelerates. Early-stage assurance will be important as projects scale, helping developers de-risk complex designs, secure investment and bring new offshore assets to market with confidence in their safety, performance and long-term efficiency.”
Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp, said, “As AI continues to drive rapid growth in demand for computing power, floating data centers offer a scalable and flexible solution, with the unique advantage of mobility, enabling capacity to be deployed where energy, connectivity and demand are greatest. We are delighted to contribute our expertise to this pioneering project.”
Lloyd’s Register Advisory has also signed a separate MOU with SHI at Posidonia to support the development and commercialization of FDC designs. The agreement will focus on feasibility, techno-economic modelling and business case development for the FDC concept.