A new global innovation could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s data infrastructure challenges. Japanese maritime leader Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has teamed up with energy tech company Kinetics to develop the world’s first floating data center platform—a solution that combines maritime logistics with renewable power to meet the surging demand for digital capacity.
Under their new partnership, the companies will build a state-of-the-art data center aboard a repurposed ship, powered by a dedicated energy supply that can include offshore wind, onshore solar farms, and land-based grid connections.
“This approach offers a scalable, mobile, and fast-deploying alternative to traditional data centers, which often face issues like high land costs, power shortages, and bureaucratic delays,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
With Nigeria’s tech ecosystem expanding rapidly and demand for reliable cloud infrastructure increasing, this innovation presents a huge opportunity for coastal cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt. Floating data centers can bypass land scarcity, minimize environmental impact, and scale faster—an ideal solution for Africa’s most populous country.
The project benefits from Kinetics’ parent company, Karpowership, which already has operations in Nigeria’s energy sector and brings over 10,000 MW of floating power experience from 19 countries.
“By pairing mobile power generation with floating digital infrastructure, we’re removing bottlenecks and opening doors to cleaner, more agile tech development,” said Kinetics CEO, Mehmet Katmer.
The first deployment is slated for 2027, and it could inspire local investment in similar maritime-based tech innovations.
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