In anticipation of the coming advanced IT society, NYK Line is working to commercialize offshore data centers powered by renewable energy. With the goal of “maximizing the potential of the ocean to achieve harmony between digital infrastructure and the global environment,” we spoke with Masayuki Morifuku and Takato Ohhigashi from the Innovation Promotion Group — two central figures in the initiative — about what inspired them to take on this new business challenge, their passion for the work, and their vision for the future.

Morifuku: After joining NYK Line, I spent two years studying business development systematically at a graduate school for working professionals. In a lecture by an external expert aimed at understanding social issues, I learned that the demand for data centers is expected to grow explosively in the future, requiring vast amounts of electricity, countermeasures against greenhouse gas emissions, and large plots of land for future expansion.

Around the same time, a few of us within the company were discussing whether we could create a new business centered around the theme of “the ocean.” When I brought up the topic of data centers, the conversation deepened around the idea of solving these issues by leveraging the ocean as a field of innovation.

Ohhigashi: I’ve been part of the Innovation Promotion Group with Morifuku since 2022. There were two main reasons I joined the offshore data center project.

First, I felt I could apply my skills. Before joining NYK Line, I worked for many years at an IT company. I hold several IT-related certifications and have in-depth knowledge of data centers.

Second, the project aligned with my personal goals. I joined NYK Line because I wanted to contribute to society. Solving the challenges faced by data centers improves people’s lives and, ultimately, benefits the world as a whole.

Morifuku: Since joining NYK Line, I’ve worked as an engineer aboard container and LNG vessels, but my knowledge of IT was limited. When I heard rumors that “someone knowledgeable about data centers had joined the company” (laughs), I reached out to Ohhigashi. In 2023, six volunteers came together to form a working group, which marked the beginning of our journey toward commercializing offshore data centers.

Ohhigashi: The key advantages of offshore data centers are “cost-efficiency” and “speed.” These two factors are crucial in addressing the challenges faced by land-based data centers.

Regarding cost-efficiency, offshore data centers don’t require land acquisition. When constructing facilities on land, for example, piles must be driven deep into the ground to address risks such as earthquakes and soil liquefaction, which significantly increases costs. In contrast, with offshore floating structures, the design remains relatively simple, allowing for lower initial investment.
Another major advantage is the reduction in electricity costs. By leveraging our expertise as a shipping company and using seawater for cooling, we can cut operational costs by 30 to 40 percent compared to conventional data centers.

As for speed, offshore data centers can be located near power generation facilities like offshore wind turbines or be self-powered, eliminating dependence on terrestrial power grids. Data centers typically require 10–100 MW of electricity per building, and delays in grid construction have been a major issue. By avoiding reliance on land-based power systems, we can significantly shorten lead times to operation.

Ohhigashi: In the early stages, our biggest challenge was the lack of connections with the IT industry. To overcome this, we actively presented our ideas outside the company to build partnerships. We’ve spoken with representatives from over 100 companies.

Currently, we’re collaborating with companies and municipalities that support the offshore data center concept. For this demonstration project, we signed a memorandum of understanding with NTT Facilities, Inc., Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation, MUFG Bank, Ltd., and the city of Yokohama to realize an offshore data center powered entirely by renewable energy.

Parties Sign MoU to Realize Offshore Floating Green Data Center Utilizing 100% Renewable Energy
https://www.nyk.com/english/news/2025/20250327_03.html

Morifuku: This project was launched using NYK’s Mirai Fund, a company initiative that supports R&D for new businesses originating within the NYK Group. The Innovation Promotion Group provides funding and support.

However, time allocated to Mirai Fund activities is limited, and when we were working voluntarily, I was constantly experimenting and thinking about how we could make it a full-time endeavor.

Ohhigashi: I joined NYK mid-career, and at my previous company, there wasn’t a support scheme like the Mirai Fund. So, I truly appreciate NYK’s openness and understanding toward new business development.

Morifuku: Since joining NYK Line, I’ve always wanted to take on new challenges using my maritime expertise. So, every day now feels incredibly fulfilling. Of course, there are difficulties, but we’re doing this because we want to — not because someone told us to. The feeling of excitement far outweighs the challenges. At the same time, whether we can continue depends on us, so we approach our work with a healthy sense of tension. As an NYK professional, I want to keep stepping up to the plate and swinging hard.

Ohhigashi: I’m living out my reason for working — contributing to as many people as possible — so even when problems arise, I don’t feel mentally burdened. Being able to think through and handle everything ourselves is what makes this job rewarding and exciting. I want to reach our destination together with our partner companies.

Ohhigashi: For now, we’re focusing on domestic expansion, but there’s untapped potential in island regions with fragile infrastructure, such as Indonesia and the Philippines. Ideally, we’d expand our business there too. It would be great if NYK’s open innovation approach to launching new businesses could become a model case — even for export overseas.

Morifuku: If this project gains traction, it could also invigorate Japan’s maritime cluster (a collective of maritime-related industries). If we can commission domestic shipyards to build offshore data centers, it would boost Japan’s shipbuilding industry. As a vessel operator, we believe that a thriving shipbuilding sector is essential for Japan to remain a technology-driven nation.

Ohhigashi: In new business development, the ideal person is someone who can make decisions independently and adjust course as needed — a self-starter. While some join　the Innovation Promotion Group through regular personnel transfers, more people are now applying through job postings. Everyone seems highly motivated.

Morifuku: The type of talent needed changes depending on the phase of the project. For the offshore data center, we currently need self-starters, as Ohhigashi mentioned. In new ventures, it’s common to find that “things look completely different once you try them.” You need people who can enjoy the course corrections. Given the inevitable effort and complexity, it’s crucial that team members take ownership and persevere.

Once the business reaches a certain level of maturity, we’ll need experts in finance, vessel construction/design, operations, and maintenance. That’s why we’re focused on making the upcoming demonstration a success and pushing toward commercialization.

Preparations are steadily underway for this fiscal year’s demonstration project.
On July 15, we gave a presentation just before the closing session at Dell Technologies’ DLC Servers & Datacenter Summit 2025, focusing on the social implementation of offshore data centers in a new era. The potential of data centers and NYK Line’s forward-looking approach were highly praised, and the event was a great success. Look forward to what’s coming next.