Optimal Transit unveils Kraaken floating data center platform with power and water generation capabilities

A newly formed joint venture is proposing a floating data center concept that not only hosts compute infrastructure but also generates its own electricity and produces clean drinking water, a design its backers say could serve disaster-stricken regions and avoid the grid constraints that increasingly hamper land-based facilities.

Optimal Transit, a partnership between naval systems developer InMar Technologies and power technology firm OptiFuel, has unveiled its Kraaken range of floating data centers. The initial design will offer compute capacity between 10MW and 100MW, while a second iteration—dubbed the Blue Economy Vital 100MW Kraaken—adds power generation and water treatment capabilities alongside 60MW of AI-ready compute space.

The company says the platform is designed to operate independently of the grid, generating continuous electrical power by combining thermal energy stored in the ocean with waste heat produced by the data center itself. This is achieved through the firm's patented multi-stage Digital Ocean Thermal (DOT) engine, which integrates Rankine cycle technology, enthalpy recovery logic, supercharging, and green ammonia synthesis to deliver carbon-free baseload power. The system is engineered for year-round operation in marine environments ranging from equatorial waters to Arctic regions, without requiring conventional fuel deliveries.

"Artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented demand for power, water and land," said Scott Myers, president of Optimal Transit. "Kraaken takes a fundamentally different approach by moving data center infrastructure offshore and using proven marine engineering together with our patented DOT technology to produce continuous electrical power. Our innovation is not dependent on new scientific breakthroughs—it's built on integrating commercially proven technologies into a standardized platform."

The vessels are based on small waterplane area twin-hull designs, which the company says will provide stability for hyperscale computing while supporting continuous high-bandwidth optical and satellite communications. Each unit can be permanently moored offshore or operate independently at sea, and can disconnect from its mooring and relocate at speeds approaching 16 knots to avoid severe weather.

According to Optimal Transit, a 100MW system can be built for less than $500 million, excluding compute hardware—a significant saving compared with the $900 million to $1.5 billion typically required to build a 100MW facility on land.

The Blue Economy Vital configuration is designed to reallocate resources toward community needs. It can export up to 40MW of continuous clean electricity to shore, enough to power roughly 32,000 homes, and deliver 30 million liters of fresh water per day—sufficient for an estimated 150,000 people—using vacuum-flash desalination that leverages waste heat. The remaining 60MW is reserved for AI compute capacity. All three outputs flow to shore through a quick-disconnect umbilical system, allowing the vessel to disconnect and relocate within hours if conditions require.

Jeff Kline, president of InMar Technologies, said: "The Vital 100 MW configuration takes the same core capabilities and asks a different question: what happens when you point some of that output directly at a coastline that doesn't have reliable power or clean water? The answer is a single vessel that can serve the equivalent of a small city—indefinitely, from offshore, with no connection to the existing grid."

InMar Technologies, based in Maryland, develops advanced marine technology for clients including the US Navy. OptiFuel, headquartered in South Carolina, builds zero-emission energy systems for rail, marine, and power generation markets. Neither company has previously developed data center products, and it remains unclear what stage of development the Kraaken platform has reached. Optimal Transit has been contacted for further details.

The announcement comes amid growing interest in floating data centers as developers seek ways to bring capacity online quickly. Keppel has begun work on a 25MW floating facility in Singapore due to come online in 2028, while US-based Panthalassa is exploring wave-powered floating data centers. Floating wind firm Aikido has also entered the space with an offshore wind platform integrated with a modular AI-focused data center, and other companies including Seatrium, Mocean, and Atomarine are pursuing similar concepts.