Classification society ABS has granted approval in principle to a 60 MW floating data centre concept developed by South Korean shipbuilding company Hanwha Ocean.
The project is part of a growing effort to develop offshore data centres as an alternative to traditional land-based facilities, whose expansion is increasingly constrained by limited land availability, high energy requirements and the need for efficient cooling systems.
Locating digital infrastructure on floating offshore platforms could make such facilities easier to expand while providing access to seawater for cooling. However, their development requires the integration of technologies used in shipbuilding, offshore engineering, energy generation and data processing.
Patrick Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ABS, said interest in floating data centres continues to grow as the industry explores practical ways to turn new infrastructure concepts into operational facilities.
He added that Hanwha Ocean’s experience in constructing technically complex offshore structures would be particularly valuable in this emerging sector.
Hanwha Ocean intends to combine its expertise in shipbuilding and offshore engineering with the wider Hanwha Group’s capabilities in energy and data processing.
The company expects to offer solutions capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional land-based data centres and securing a leading position in the developing global market for floating digital infrastructure.
Over the past year, ABS has granted approval to several floating data centre concepts with capacities ranging from 50 MW to 200 MW.
In 2025, the classification society also published a study examining the potential use of nuclear energy to power floating data centres.
ABS provides classification and technical support throughout the lifecycle of marine and offshore assets, from the initial concept review to construction and operation.
Hanwha Ocean plans to use its shipbuilding and offshore engineering experience to continue developing floating digital infrastructure and other marine energy projects.
