Samsung Heavy Industries unveiled its floating data center (FDC) in the United States as it moves toward commercialization. The FDC, a floating model installed on rivers or seas, is seen as an alternative to address site availability, power supply and cooling efficiency challenges.
Samsung Heavy Industries said on April 24 it presented the FDC at Data Center World (DCW 2026), held in Washington, D.C., from April 20 to 23, as part of its push into the global market.
At the event, the company obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) for a 50-megawatt (MW)-class FDC from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Lloyd’s Register (LR).
The FDC is based on a standardized shipyard construction process that integrates design, manufacturing and equipment installation. This enables faster delivery than conventional land-based data centers and allows the use of an onboard power generation system to reduce reliance on onshore electricity.
During the event, Samsung Heavy Industries also signed a technology cooperation agreement with ABB for FDC power system development, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S.-based data center developer Mustarian for FDC projects in the United States.
The company plans to accelerate commercialization by combining power system development with local partnerships for U.S. operations and regulatory approvals.
Ahn Young-kyu, executive vice president and head of the Technology Development Division, said, “FDC is a new business model that expands shipbuilding capabilities into the digital infrastructure industry,” adding, “By combining with eco-friendly energy, we aim to set a new standard in the global data market and secure future growth drivers.”
Meanwhile, DCW 2026, which Samsung Heavy Industries attended for the first time this year, is regarded as a leading North American event that highlights technology and investment trends amid growing demand for data center infrastructure.