Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kinetics, the energy transition arm of Karpowership, to develop what the companies say will be the world’s first integrated floating data centre platform.
The agreement will see the partners collaborate on the design, conversion and deployment of a modular data centre hosted on a retrofitted vessel, powered by mobile energy infrastructure or connected to onshore or offshore renewable sources depending on the project location.
The floating platform is intended to offer a scalable, mobile alternative to land-based data centres, addressing challenges such as limited land availability, long permitting processes, and power grid constraints.
The data centre will use direct water cooling from seawater or river sources and connect to terrestrial internet exchange points and subsea cables. MOL will provide its maritime and operational expertise for vessel conversion, with Kinetics responsible for integrated power supply and infrastructure design.
“This MOU represents an important step forward in leveraging the MOL Group’s assets and extensive expertise in ship operations to rapidly build digital infrastructure while minimising environmental impact,” said Tomoaki Ichida, Managing Executive Officer of MOL.
“Moving forward, we will continue to expand a diverse range of social infrastructure businesses centred on the shipping industry. Through the advancement of our technologies and services, we are committed to proactively responding to society’s evolving needs, including the imperative of environmental conservation.”
The project aims to deploy its first floating data centre in 2027, with a capacity of between 20 and 73 MW depending on configuration. Vessel conversion work is scheduled to begin in 2026 following permitting and contract finalisation.
The use of second-hand ships is expected to reduce construction timelines and costs, while also offering energy efficiency benefits through the use of seawater cooling and existing onboard systems. The developers note that the floating design will also allow for relocation of capacity in response to shifting demand.
Initial feasibility studies are already underway, with future deployments expected to focus on regions facing data centre grid access delays or land scarcity.
