Lloyd’s Register (LR), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp have launched a Joint Development Project to advance floating data centre designs.
The agreement was presented during Posidonia 2026.
The project focuses on developing floating data centres using shipbuilding methods to create offshore digital infrastructure.
The partners said the concept offers an alternative to land-based data centres, where space, power supply and cooling constraints continue to grow.
The design uses standardized shipbuilding processes to reduce construction time.
It also includes onboard power generation systems to reduce pressure on land-based grids.
The concept uses seawater cooling to improve efficiency.
LR confirmed the technical feasibility of SHI’s design.
The classification society assessed structural integrity, safety requirements and power system integration.
LR also evaluated the design against current regulations and emerging industry standards.
The companies said floating data centres could support rising digital infrastructure demand driven by artificial intelligence growth.
The concept allows operators to deploy computing capacity offshore in areas with suitable energy availability and connectivity.
“This agreement highlights how owners and yards are rethinking asset strategy as digital infrastructure demand accelerates,” said Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register.
He added that early-stage assurance reduces project risks and supports future investment decisions.
Young-kyu Ahn, Chief Technology Officer at Samsung Heavy Industries, said the project extends the company’s shipbuilding expertise into digital infrastructure markets.
He added that combining offshore infrastructure with sustainable energy solutions could create new growth opportunities.
Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp, said floating data centres provide scalable and flexible infrastructure solutions.
“As AI continues to drive rapid growth in demand for computing power, floating data centres offer a scalable and flexible solution, with the unique advantage of mobility,” he said.
Separately, Lloyd’s Register Advisory signed another agreement with SHI during Posidonia.
That agreement focuses on feasibility studies, techno-economic analysis and commercialization strategies for floating data centre projects.
