ABS and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have reached two new milestones in their floating data center program, including a design review for a 50 MW unit and approval in principle (AIP) for a larger 200 MW concept.

Under the latest agreement, ABS will evaluate SHI‘s 50 MW floating data center against applicable classification requirements and International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. The review follows the AIP issued for the same design earlier this year.

Separately, ABS has granted AIP for SHI‘s 200 MW floating data center design. The concept increases capacity fourfold compared with the previously approved design and is intended to address the scale requirements of hyperscale data center operators as demand for AI-driven computing infrastructure continues to grow.

According to SHI, both floating data center concepts apply a standardized shipbuilding process that could shorten construction timelines.

Patrick Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ABS, said interest in floating data centers is increasing because demand for data infrastructure is growing faster than land-based development can accommodate. He added that offshore deployment introduces additional technical complexity while creating new opportunities for the industry.

Kyung-Hee Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Business Division at Samsung Heavy Industries, said the 50 MW design review agreement and the 200 MW approval in principle mark two development milestones for the company’s floating data center program.

The agreements were announced following the opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington, D.C.