- Collaborating with global shipowners and AI server specialists across Greece and the UK.

 · Expanding cooperation in developing project opportunities, economic evaluation, and offshore AI server validation

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is significantly expanding its global partnerships to accelerate the development of Floating Data Center (FDC) business, an emerging sector gaining momentum amid surging demand for AI infrastructure.

SHI announced on June 3 that it is participating in Posidonia 2026, the world`s largest maritime exhibition being held in Athens Greece from June 1–5 (local time), to strengthen cooperation in its FDC business.

Sung-an Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of SHI, along with senior executives including Wang-geun Lee, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Young-kyu Ahn, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) attended the event and held discussions with major global shipping companies on future collaboration opportunities.

On June 2 (local time), SHI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Greece-based Capital and UK classification society Lloyd''s Register (LR), to cooperate on FDC-related business development.

Under the agreements, SHI will lead technology development and construction, while Capital will focus on project sourcing and investment activities. Lloyd`s Register will focus on Rule & Regulations about FDC.

Separately, SHI also signed an MOU with LR Advisory, Lloyd`s Register`s policy and regulatory consulting arm, to collaborate on North American data center market analysis, infrastructure assessments, and commercial feasibility studies, laying the groundwork for entry into the global FDC market.

In parallel, SHI entered into a Joint Development Project (JDP) agreement with U.S.-based AI server specialist SuperMicro at `Innovate APAC 2026` an IT Technology conference held in Taipei, Taiwan on June 1 (local time).

Offshore environments can expose AI servers to vibration, inclination, high-salinity air, and rapid humidity fluctuations, all of which may significantly impact server stability and lifespan.

SHI plans to develop offshore positioning control systems and technologies to block salt and humidity intrusion, while SuperMicro will conduct operational verification of AI server infrastructure in river and marine enviroments.

Global demand for data center infrastructure is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. According to credit rating agency Moody`s, investment in high-performance AI data center infrastructure for generative AI applications could reach up to USD 3 trillion by 2030.

In response, SHI is building a global partnership network covering investment sourcing, market analysis, economic feasibility studies and core technology development for future FDC projects.

“Floating data centers represent a major new opportunity for the shipbuilding and offshore industries,” said Sung-an Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of SHI. “Through global partnerships, we aim to establish a leading position in the FDC market by moving proactively and establishing a differentiated market position.”

* About Floating Data Centers (FDC)

Floating Data Center (FDC) is an offshore or water-based data center model designed to address the rapidly growing demand for AI computing infrastructure. Installed on rivers or oceans rather than on land, FDCs are expected to help solve challenges faced by terrestrial data centers, including power supply constraints, heat dissipation, and land availability.