Samsung intends to establish a floating AI data center by the year 2028.
As data centres face opposition from nearby residents and land-based water restrictions, Samsung aims to position them offshore. According to the Seoul Economic Daily, Samsung Heavy Industries intends to introduce its first floating data centre by 2028. This facility will be a specially designed barge located near the coastline.
The design is intentional. Instead of repurposing an old vessel, Samsung is constructing a new 50MW barge that will include a server hall, on-site power generation, and liquefied natural gas fuel tanks. The initial model will be "nearshore," situated close to land and drawing some power from the electrical grid, serving as a cautious preliminary step before moving further out to sea.
The rationale for placing a data centre in the water addresses a growing challenge on land. Data centres require large areas, affordable power, and significant amounts of water for cooling; however, communities are increasingly reluctant to provide all three. By floating offshore, these centres can avoid land scarcity and lengthy planning disputes, while the ocean provides natural cooling.
The financial feasibility is still untested. Saltwater can cause corrosion, storms present risks, and connecting fibre and electricity to a barge can increase costs and uncertainties. Samsung is wagering that the potential trade-off is worthwhile as demand for AI technology exceeds what many electrical grids and localities can support.
This shift also indicates the future direction of shipbuilding. Samsung's shipyards are looking for new projects. The concept of "data centres at sea" transforms excess hull-building capability into AI infrastructure. Samsung Heavy Industries' chief executive, Sung-an Choi, stated that "floating data centres represent a significant new opportunity for the shipbuilding and offshore industries."
Competitors are pursuing similar concepts. A Japanese partnership between Mitsui OSK Lines and Hitachi is adapting existing ships to incorporate data-centre equipment, with plans to launch in 2027. China has advanced even further by establishing a data centre beneath the sea.
Samsung is not proceeding alone, either. During the Posidonia maritime exhibition, it secured partnerships with Greece's Capital Clean Energy Carriers and the classification society Lloyd’s Register. Additionally, it reached an agreement with Supermicro to test AI servers at sea, as reported by The Register. Both the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register have awarded preliminary approvals.
The significance of this development is notable. Floating data centres represent a speculative venture rather than an established reality. However, a shipbuilder developing plans underscores the lengths the industry may go to avoid opposition on land. If communities are unwilling to accommodate the energy-intensive demands of AI, the alternative might be just offshore.
Published July 8, 2026 - 8:16 pm UTC
Other articles
Roborock brought the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to Miami, and it was an amazing experience.
Roborock transformed Miami's Aventura Mall into a distinctive celebration of technology and football, creating a remarkable event.
HubSpot retracts its decision regarding the use of customer data for AI purposes.
HubSpot has abandoned its proposal to aggregate customer data for an AI feature following a backlash that lasted four days, highlighting how sensitive the issue of AI and data collection has become.
Irish drone delivery company Manna is establishing a factory in Tulsa that will employ 1,000 people to compete with Zipline and Wing.
Manna secured $50 million in funding and plans to establish a manufacturing center in Tulsa, which will create 1,000 jobs. The company departed from Ireland due to regulatory challenges. Six cities in the US were evaluated for this project.
Still holding out for a more affordable Vision Pro? A new report has some disappointing updates.
Apple's more affordable Vision Pro appears to be less likely to materialize, as Samsung Display has reportedly chosen to halt the development of the budget-friendly screen technology intended for the headset.
NHTSA requires companies developing autonomous vehicles to address issues related to first responder interference by the end of July.
The NHTSA reports that autonomous vehicles are interfering with emergency situations by obstructing ambulances. It has requested that developers of these vehicles provide solutions by the end of this month.
NATO's AI 'Kill Web' along its eastern border
NATO is developing an AI-driven 'Kill Web' composed of sensors, drones, and satellites positioned along its eastern border to identify and respond to a Russian assault before it occurs.
Samsung intends to establish a floating AI data center by the year 2028.
Samsung Heavy Industries aims to create a dedicated, 50MW floating data center by 2028, as challenges such as limited land, water availability, and local resistance hinder AI initiatives on land.