ABS and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have announced two milestones advancing floating data center development, part of a series of innovative agreements following the opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington, D.C.

The first milestone is a design approval agreement under which ABS will review SHI’s 50-megawatt (MW) floating data center against applicable class rules and IMO regulations, building on an approval in principle (AIP) of the design granted earlier this year. The second milestone is AIP for SHI’s 200 MW floating data center.

“Interest in floating data centers is growing as demand for data infrastructure outpaces what land-based development can deliver. Moving these facilities offshore introduces real complexity, and with it, real opportunity. ABS is proud to support SHI as they advance this technology,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

SHI’s designs incorporate a standardized shipbuilding process, potentially shortening construction timelines. At 200 MW, the AIP represents a fourfold increase in capacity over the earlier concept, targeting the scale requirements of hyperscale data center operators as AI-driven demand for computing infrastructure continues to grow.

“Our collaboration with ABS allows us to pioneer next-generation maritime technology. The 50 MW design agreement and the 200 MW FDC approval in principle (AIP) demonstrate SHI’s differentiated technological competitiveness in the FDC market,” said Kyung-Hee Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Business Division at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).