Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has received approvals in principle for its self-developed 50MW floating data centre (FDC) from US and UK classification societies, ABS and Lloyd’s Register. SHI believes that FDC is an offshore floating data centre model expected to see exponential demand growth following the commercialisation of AI technologies. By moving data centres offshore, FDC is rising as an alternative to tackle challenges such as site acquisition, electricity supply, and cooling efficiency. SHI’s floating data centre is based on a standardised shipbuilding process used by shipyards that simultaneously conduct design, manufacturing, and equipment integration. It allows shorter lead times than conventional onshore data centres and can minimise reliance on onshore electricity by installing self-generation systems. Also, SHI signed memoranda of understanding for FDC development with the tech firm ABB and the US-based developer of floating and water-adjacent data centre infrastructure, Mousterian. Samsung Heavy is planning to drive FDC commercialisation in the US by partnering with local firms to develop the electricity system and secure approvals, authorisations, and operational support. “FDC is a new business model that expands the shipbuilding technology into the digital infrastructure industry. It will set new standards in the global data market by converging with eco-friendly energy, and secure a new growth engine,” stated Young-kyu Ahn, head of the technology development division at SHI. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsJapan United States