Samsung Heavy Industries partners with Japan’s Morimura SOFC Technology to develop solid oxide fuel cell systems for ships and data centres, targeting commercialisation by 2028 and expanding its clean energy solutions business.
Samsung Heavy Industries partners with Japan-based Morimura SOFC Technology to jointly develop and commercialise solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems for ships and data centres by 2028. The collaboration aims to strengthen the company’s clean energy technology portfolio while addressing growing demand for efficient power generation and lower-emission industrial solutions. The two companies sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Pangyo Research and Development Centre in South Korea on November 9, 2026.
Under the agreement, Samsung Heavy Industries will oversee engineering, system integration and commercialisation of large-capacity SOFC products. Morimura will supply the core components, including fuel cells and stacks, which form the primary power-generation units. The partnership combines Samsung’s shipbuilding and offshore engineering capabilities with Morimura’s expertise in fuel cell technology.
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SOFC technology generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between fuel and oxygen using a ceramic solid electrolyte. It can operate using hydrogen and conventional fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Compared with conventional engine-based power generation systems, the technology offers higher power-generation efficiency and the potential to reduce carbon emissions. Its ability to utilise existing fuels also supports its application in the maritime sector.
Samsung Heavy Industries plans to integrate SOFC systems into commercial vessels as part of its efforts to address increasingly stringent carbon-emission regulations and develop next-generation electric-powered autonomous ships. Using fuel cells as onboard power sources could also enable remote diagnostics and maintenance from land-based facilities, supporting the development of automated vessel maintenance systems.
The companies also identify data centres as a major application area for the technology. Samsung Heavy Industries intends to explore SOFC integration into floating data centres, an emerging business area that requires reliable and continuous electricity supplies. Onboard power-generation systems could help these facilities secure electricity independently while supporting the expansion of offshore digital infrastructure.
The partnership aligns with Samsung Heavy Industries’ broader efforts to expand beyond traditional shipbuilding into offshore energy infrastructure and advanced power solutions. The company is developing floating data centre concepts and exploring technologies that combine maritime engineering with the growing requirements of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
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Samsung Heavy Industries’ Future Business Division Head Kim Kyung-hee says the collaboration will combine the company’s shipbuilding and offshore industry network with Morimura’s technical expertise to explore new markets. Morimura President Yoshikuni Sato also expresses interest in creating new value through cooperation in future energy technologies.
The joint development programme represents a step towards expanding SOFC applications across maritime transportation and data centre infrastructure, while supporting Samsung Heavy Industries’ plans to strengthen its position in next-generation energy solutions.