Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Partners with Kinetics to Develop Next-Generation Floating Data Centre Platform

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kinetics, an energy transition initiative by Karadeniz subsidiary Karpowership, to develop a next-generation floating data centre platform.

The collaboration between the two companies will focus on designing, constructing, and deploying a data centre hosted on a retrofitted vessel. This innovative facility will be powered by uninterrupted, dedicated energy sources, including powerships developed by the Turkish company.

One of the key features of the floating data centre will be its ability to integrate various power generation solutions such as onshore solar farms, offshore wind, or land-based grids, depending on the project location and client requirements.

Both Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Kinetics emphasize that the floating platform will provide a scalable, mobile, and rapidly deployable alternative to traditional land-based data centres. This approach aims to overcome challenges related to power constraints, land scarcity, and permitting delays in the industry.

CEO of Kinetics, Mehmet Katmer, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating, “By pairing mobile power generation with floating data infrastructure, we are addressing critical market bottlenecks while enabling faster, cleaner, and more flexible digital capacity expansion.”

Following successful feasibility studies and ongoing technical developments, the first floating data centre project is scheduled for deployment in 2027. The data centre’s capacity will range between 20 and 73MW, depending on the module configuration, and will feature direct water cooling using seawater or river water.

In terms of power sources, the powership provided by Karadeniz can utilize multiple fuels, including LNG, with the possibility of grid connection. Additionally, internet connectivity will be established either on land or via submarine cables.