Samsung Heavy Industries is stepping up its push into the global data infrastructure market with its floating data center (FDC) technology, securing both technical certification and strategic partnerships at a major North American industry event.
The company announced that it participated in “Data Center World 2026,” held from April 20 to 23 in Washington, D.C., where it showcased its proprietary FDC technology. The event is considered one of North America’s leading platforms for exploring emerging technologies and investment trends amid surging demand for data centers.
Floating data centers are next-generation facilities installed offshore or on water rather than on land. As demand for data processing continues to rise with the expansion of AI, FDCs are gaining attention as an alternative that can address land shortages, power supply constraints, and cooling challenges simultaneously.
At the event, Samsung Heavy Industries obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Lloyd’s Register for its 50-megawatt-class FDC design. The model leverages standardized shipyard construction processes, enabling simultaneous design, manufacturing, and system integration, which can significantly shorten construction timelines compared to conventional land-based data centers. It also features an onboard power generation system to reduce reliance on external electricity sources.
The company also expanded its technology partnerships. It is collaborating with ABB to develop power systems for FDCs, and signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based data center developer Musterian to advance local business opportunities.
Building on these certifications and partnerships, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to move forward with power system development, regulatory approvals, and operational frameworks in the United States as part of its phased strategy toward commercializing FDCs.
The company’s labor-management council also attended the event, highlighting internal alignment on expanding the new business initiative.
A company official said the FDC represents a new business model that extends shipbuilding expertise into the digital infrastructure sector, adding that Samsung Heavy aims to secure new growth momentum in the global data center market by combining the technology with eco-friendly energy solutions.
