MOL and Hitachi Repurpose Ships as Offshore Data Centers

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Hitachi and Hitachi Systems to develop, operate and commercialise floating data centres converted from second-hand vessels, targeting operations from 2027 in Japan, Malaysia and the United States.

“In recent years, demand for data centers has continued to grow alongside the rapid proliferation of generative AI, creating a need for diverse range of data center solutions that take into account factors such as location, the availability of water resources for power generation and cooling, surrounding infrastructure, and disaster risks,” MOL said in a release today.

The floating data centre concept addresses several critical constraints facing conventional land-based facilities. Securing large suburban plots is increasingly difficult, construction of land-based centres takes up to four years longer than the approximately one-year vessel renovation timeline, and water-cooled systems – now essential for high-performance AI servers – face resident opposition in some US regions over potable water concerns. Floating structures can draw directly on seawater or river water for cooling, reducing both power consumption and operational costs. They are also relocatable as demand shifts.

Converting existing hulls rather than building new structures reduces environmental impact and initial investment, while also making use of existing onboard systems including air-conditioning, water intake and power generation. A converted car carrier, the companies note, could offer approximately 54,000 sq m of floor space – rivalling Japan’s largest onshore data centres.

MOL will lead vessel conversion planning, port authority coordination and financing structures, while Hitachi and Hitachi Systems will handle data centre design, IT infrastructure and customer acquisition.

Last year, MOL signed a memorandum of understanding with Kinetics, an energy transition initiative by Turkey’s Karadeniz subsidiary Karpowership, to develop a next-generation floating data centre platform (pictured) by 2027. The two companies will design, construct, and deploy a data centre hosted on a 120 m long retrofitted car carrier.

The collaboration between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Hitachi to repurpose ships as offshore data centers signals a new wave of innovation in the maritime sector. By blending digital infrastructure with sea freight assets, this approach could unlock new efficiencies and revenue streams beyond traditional shipping operations. As technology continues to reshape logistics, such initiatives highlight the growing convergence between data, energy, and global transport networks.

Source: Ships as Offshore Data Centers