THELASTMILE Logistics Outside the Box
Shipping line MOL is working on a second life for the roll-on/roll-off ships in its fleet—as floating data centers. Car Carriers Bound For a New Horizon
By the Numbers MOL has a fleet of around 100 roll-on/roll-o ships. A car carrier has approximately 580,000 square feet of floor space, which would be equivalent to one of Japan’s largest land-based data centers, says MOL. The concept calls for a 9,700 gross ton vessel that is 394 feet long. It would use seawater or river water for cooling and likely be powered by a power ship alongside (see rendering) . The companies will also explore shore power connections. This concept would house a 20- to 72-MW data center, and potentially could be expanded with a modular configuration.
THE PLAN AFLOAT Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Kinetics, an initiative from Karpowership, are developing a plan to convert existing vessels into oshore data centers that can be powered from mobile power or shore power. The companies are hoping to address the global shortage of data centers. SINK OR SWIM? TBD IN 2025
The companies plan to complete a design feasibility study this year, working with data center operators and port authorities to develop the concept. They expect to begin vessel conversion in 2026 and start their first operations in 2027. HARBORING ADVANTAGES The floating data center wouldn’t take up the large amount of land required for a traditional data center, and it can be relocated based on where it’s needed. Additionally, the ship’s existing air conditioning, water, and generators can be repurposed to support the data center’s operations.
Sources: The Maritime Executive; Mitsui O.S.K.Lines Rendering of oshore data center and power ship courtesy of MOL
192 Inbound Logistics • July 2025
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