Japan converts cargo ships into floating data centers with Hitachi backing AI demand

On 2026-04-07, Hitachi and its subsidiary Hitachi Systems signed a memorandum with Mitsui OSK Lines to develop and operate a floating data center project in Japan. The plan involves converting a second-hand vessel into a working data center, with operations tentatively expected from 2027 onward. The project is framed as a response to rising AI compute demand and land constraints around major Japanese cities.