Samsung Heavy Industries plans floating AI data center by 2028

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), the shipbuilding arm of South Korea's Samsung Group, plans to commercialize a floating data center (FDC) platform specifically for AI workloads by the second quarter of 2028. The facility will be a purpose-built barge—not a converted vessel—housing server halls, electrical and mechanical systems, onboard power equipment, and LNG storage. Initially, deployments will sit close to shore and rely on land-based electricity supplies, rather than operating fully offshore. SHI argues that shipbuilding methods can reduce permitting delays and accelerate construction compared to traditional data centers, as major components are manufactured and assembled in a controlled shipyard environment. The company is pursuing multiple global projects and aims to secure customer orders before the launch timeline.

The push for floating data centers comes as AI computing demand strains conventional infrastructure: Moody’s Corporation estimates up to $3 trillion could be invested in AI data centers by 2030, yet power, land, and cooling scarcity are major bottlenecks. Floating facilities offer proximity to energy sources, natural water cooling, and easier scaling. However, challenges remain—seawater corrosion, humidity, tides, currents, and marine regulations must be managed. SHI CEO Choi Sung-an called the opportunity “a major new opportunity for the shipbuilding and offshore industries.” The first commercial units will serve as real-world tests for offshore computing’s competitiveness. Samsung’s move signals that the AI infrastructure race is expanding beyond land into maritime environments.