MOL and Hitachi Begin Initiatives Toward Joint Development of a 'Floating Data Center Using Converted Used Ships'
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Hitachi, and Hitachi Systems signed an MOU to jointly develop and commercialize a Floating Data Center (FDC) using converted second-hand ships, aiming for operations after 2027.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:07
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 48m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 05:58 (583h 2m after Collected)
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'MOL'), Hitachi, Ltd. (Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO: Toshiaki Tokunaga; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'Hitachi'), and Hitachi Systems, Ltd. (Representative Director, President & CEO: Takehiko Watanabe; Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'Hitachi Systems') have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) toward the development, operation, and commercialization of a 'Floating Data Center (FDC)' using converted used ships. Based on this MOU, the three companies will look ahead to operations starting in 2027 and beyond, conducting demand verification, basic specification drafting, and operational procedure studies for FDC commercialization. This will be centered in Japan—where the Hitachi Group already has a track record of operating onshore data centers—as well as Malaysia and the US, where they have a track record of providing onshore data center-related services.
In recent years, the demand for data centers has continued to expand alongside the rapid spread of Generative AI, requiring diverse supply formats that take into account factors like location, securing water resources used for power and cooling, surrounding infrastructure, and disaster risks. The three companies will leverage their respective track records, knowledge, and know-how to verify the commercialization of the 'FDC using converted used ships' option. This option does not require securing large tracts of land, has a short construction period, is relocatable, and further reduces environmental impact and costs by reusing existing ship hulls.
[Roles of Each Company]
- MOL:
Based on its past considerations and evaluations of maritime operations—including plans to convert ships into data centers, coordination with port authorities, mooring, and maintenance—conducted in various parts of the world toward realizing FDCs, MOL will be responsible for 'planning and promoting ship conversion, leading discussions with port authorities, defining maritime operational requirements such as mooring and maintenance, and examining financing schemes.'
- Hitachi / Hitachi Systems:
Centered on the Strategic SIB Business Unit, which leads the acquisition of new growth opportunities, Hitachi and Hitachi Systems will draw on their track records of owning and operating onshore data centers in Japan, building container-type data centers, and providing onshore data center facility services in Malaysia and the US. They will be responsible for 'technical examination of data center design, construction, and operation, defining IT infrastructure requirements such as networks and security, utilizing local expertise, and organizing customer requirements and cooperating in customer acquisition.'
Furthermore, by multiplying advanced AI reinforced with deep domain knowledge, the Hitachi Group introduces its next-generation solution group 'HMAX by Hitachi (hereinafter 'HMAX')', which tackles the most complex challenges faced by social infrastructure.
In recent years, the demand for data centers has continued to expand alongside the rapid spread of Generative AI, requiring diverse supply formats that take into account factors like location, securing water resources used for power and cooling, surrounding infrastructure, and disaster risks. The three companies will leverage their respective track records, knowledge, and know-how to verify the commercialization of the 'FDC using converted used ships' option. This option does not require securing large tracts of land, has a short construction period, is relocatable, and further reduces environmental impact and costs by reusing existing ship hulls.
[Roles of Each Company]
- MOL:
Based on its past considerations and evaluations of maritime operations—including plans to convert ships into data centers, coordination with port authorities, mooring, and maintenance—conducted in various parts of the world toward realizing FDCs, MOL will be responsible for 'planning and promoting ship conversion, leading discussions with port authorities, defining maritime operational requirements such as mooring and maintenance, and examining financing schemes.'
- Hitachi / Hitachi Systems:
Centered on the Strategic SIB Business Unit, which leads the acquisition of new growth opportunities, Hitachi and Hitachi Systems will draw on their track records of owning and operating onshore data centers in Japan, building container-type data centers, and providing onshore data center facility services in Malaysia and the US. They will be responsible for 'technical examination of data center design, construction, and operation, defining IT infrastructure requirements such as networks and security, utilizing local expertise, and organizing customer requirements and cooperating in customer acquisition.'
Furthermore, by multiplying advanced AI reinforced with deep domain knowledge, the Hitachi Group introduces its next-generation solution group 'HMAX by Hitachi (hereinafter 'HMAX')', which tackles the most complex challenges faced by social infrastructure.