Samsung Heavy Industries partners with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and Supermicro to commercialize a floating AI data center. The project targets a 50MW power capacity for offshore operations. Shipowners will buy the platforms and lease computing capacity on long-term contracts similar to tanker charters.
The partnership combines heavy shipbuilding expertise with AI server manufacturing and energy logistics.
The design pairs seawater cooling with solid oxide fuel cells running on liquefied natural gas. Supermicro validates whether precision AI hardware tolerates marine environmental factors like vibration, tilt, salt, and humidity over a multi-year service life. Capital Clean Energy Carriers CEO Jerry Kalogiratos describes the approach as a scalable solution with unique mobility advantages.
- Power Capacity: 50MW
- Cooling Method: Seawater cooling
- Power Source: Solid oxide fuel cells running on liquefied natural gas (LNG)
The facility generates its own power using LNG-fueled solid oxide fuel cells. The cooling system draws seawater directly to manage heat loads from AI workloads. Samsung Heavy Industries signed a separate memorandum with Lloyd's Register Advisory for feasibility studies in the North American market.
Samsung Heavy Industries aims to commercialize the 50MW floating data center by 2027 or later. This timeline aligns with industry competitors like MOL and Karpowership. The company has not confirmed any signed customer contracts for named deployments, though it previously mentioned a letter of intent with OpenAI.
The partnership combines heavy shipbuilding expertise with AI server manufacturing and energy logistics. Capital Clean Energy Carriers provides the maritime operational framework for long-term leasing models. Supermicro ensures hardware reliability in harsh offshore conditions.
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