세계 컨테이너형 데이터센터 시장 규모는 2024년 130억 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 이 시장이 2033년까지 645억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상하며, 2025-2033년 연평균 성장률(CAGR)은 19.49%에 달할 것으로 예측하고 있습니다. 이 시장은 빠른 배포와 확장성, 신흥 시장에서의 채택 확대, 에너지 효율성, 엣지 컴퓨팅의 통합으로 인해 크게 성장하고 있습니다. 또한, 고성능 컴퓨팅(고성능 연산)과 인공지능의 기술 발전은 그 매력을 더욱 높이고 있습니다. 이러한 유연하고 비용 효율적인 솔루션은 다양한 비즈니스 요구에 대응하기 위해 현대의 IT 인프라에 필수적인 요소로 자리 잡으며 시장 확대를 주도하고 있습니다.
기술 발전
고성능 컴퓨팅(HPC), 인공지능(AI) 등의 기술이 지속적으로 발전하면서 컨테이너형 데이터센터에 통합되고 있습니다. 이 통합을 통해 처리 능력과 운영 효율성이 향상되어 더 복잡하고 데이터량이 많은 애플리케이션을 처리할 수 있습니다. HPC와 AI 기술은 데이터 분석 가속화, 실시간 처리, 빅데이터 분석, 머신러닝, 시뮬레이션 등의 작업에서 성능 향상을 가능하게 합니다. 그 결과, 컨테이너형 데이터센터는 금융, 의료, 과학 연구 등 다양한 산업 분야의 광범위한 애플리케이션에 점점 더 적합해지고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 미쓰비시 중공업은 2023년 10월 하이브리드 냉각을 탑재한 새로운 컨테이너형 데이터센터를 발표하고 2023년 말까지 상용화를 시작할 예정입니다. 40kVA급 12ft 컨테이너에는 침수냉각과 공냉식 시스템이 모두 내장되어 있으며, 40℃에서 침수냉각만으로 PUE 1.05, 하이브리드 방식으로 PUE 1.14를 목표로 하고 있습니다.
신흥 시장에서의 채용 증가
동남아시아, 라틴아메리카, 아프리카 등 신흥 시장에서는 비용 효율성과 유연성으로 인해 컨테이너형 데이터센터에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 이들 지역에서는 기존 데이터센터에 필요한 인프라가 부족한 경우가 많기 때문에 컨테이너 솔루션이 매력적인 대안이 되고 있습니다. 컨테이너형 데이터센터는 신속하게 배치할 수 있고, 운송이 용이하며, 특정 요구에 따라 확장할 수 있기 때문에 자원이 제한된 지역에 적합합니다. 이러한 유연성을 통해 해당 지역의 기업들은 기존 데이터센터에 많은 투자를 하지 않고도 IT 역량을 강화할 수 있습니다. 예를 들어, 인도네시아의 브로드밴드 제공업체인 링크넷(Link Net)은 2023년 10월 중국 통신사 중싱통신(ZTE)과 제휴하여 인도네시아의 자카르타와 수라바야에 두 개의 새로운 데이터센터를 개설했습니다. 이 데이터센터는 링크넷의 주거용 광대역 사업의 안정성을 높이고 고객의 원활한 연결을 보장하기 위한 것입니다. 각각 300 랙의 용량을 갖춘 이 시설들은 국가의 통신 인프라를 강화하고 디지털 성장을 지원하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
엣지 컴퓨팅 통합
데이터 발생지와 가까운 곳에서 데이터를 처리해야 하는 엣지 컴퓨팅의 부상으로 컨테이너형 데이터센터의 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 이 모듈형 유닛은 엣지 위치에 배치할 수 있으며, 저 지연 데이터 처리 능력을 제공합니다. 이러한 근접성은 대기 시간을 줄이고, 실시간 데이터 처리를 강화하며, 전체 네트워크의 효율성을 향상시킵니다. 예를 들어, 2023년 12월 지멘스 가메사(Siemens Gamesa)는 영국 헐에 위치한 제조 시설에 Secure i.T. Environments의 ModCel 컨테이너형 데이터센터를 도입했습니다. 이 데이터센터는 풍력 터빈을 포함한 신재생에너지 장비 제조의 생산 시스템과 통신을 지원합니다. 이 데이터센터는 함부르크 강 하구의 도크 기반 환경을 위해 특별히 설계되었으며, 1,200mm 깊이의 48U 캐비닛 2개, 랙마운트형 UPS가 장착된 PDU, 냉각을 위한 다운플로우형 AirSys Unicool AHU 유닛을 외부에 설치했습니다. 컨테이너형 데이터센터는 유연성, 확장성, 신속한 구축 솔루션을 제공하여 IoT, 자율주행차, 스마트 시티 등의 분야에서 증가하는 즉각적인 데이터 처리 수요에 대응하기 위한 엣지 컴퓨팅에 적합합니다.
The global containerized data center market size reached USD 13.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 64.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 19.49% during 2025-2033. The market is experiencing a significant growth mainly driven by the rapid deployment and scalability, increased adoption in emerging markets, energy efficiency, and the integration of edge computing. Additionally, technological advancements in high performance computing and artificial intelligence enhance their appeal. These flexible, cost-effective solutions meet diverse business needs, making them indispensable for modern IT infrastructure and driving market expansion.
Technological Advancements
Continuous advancements in technology, such as high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), are being integrated into containerized data centers. This integration enhances their processing power and operational efficiency, enabling them to handle more complex and data-intensive applications. HPC and AI technologies allow for faster data analysis, real-time processing, and improved performance in tasks such as big data analytics, machine learning, and simulations. As a result, containerized data centers are becoming increasingly suitable for a wider range of applications across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and scientific research. For instance, in October 2023, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries introduced a new containerized data center with hybrid cooling, set to launch commercially by the end of 2023. The 40kVA-class 12ft container incorporates both immersion and air-cooling systems, aiming for a PUE of 1.05 with immersion cooling alone at 40°C, and 1.14 with a hybrid approach.
Rising Adoption in Emerging Markets
There is a growing demand for containerized data centers in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility. These regions often lack the infrastructure needed for traditional data centers, making containerized solutions an attractive alternative. Containerized data centers can be rapidly deployed, easily transported, and scaled according to specific needs, which is ideal for areas with limited resources. This flexibility allows businesses in these regions to enhance their IT capabilities without the substantial investments required for conventional data centers. For instance, in October 2023, Indonesian broadband provider Link Net partnered with Chinese telco ZTE to launch two new data centers in Jakarta and Surabaya, Indonesia. The data centers are designed to enhance the reliability of Link Net's residential broadband business and ensure smooth connectivity for customers. With a total capacity of 300 racks each, these facilities aim to strengthen the country's telecommunications infrastructure and support digital growth.
Integration of Edge Computing
The rise of edge computing, which requires data processing closer to the source of data generation, is driving the demand for containerized data centers. These modular units can be deployed at edge locations, providing low-latency data processing capabilities. This proximity reduces latency, enhances real-time data processing, and improves overall network efficiency. For instance, in December 2023, Siemens Gamesa deployed a Secure I.T. Environments ModCel containerized data center at its UK manufacturing facility in Hull. The data center will support production systems and communications for renewable energy equipment manufacturing including wind turbines. It is specifically designed for the dock-based environment along the Humber estuary, featuring two 48U 1,200mm deep cabinets, PDUs with rackmount UPS and externally mounted downflow AirSys Unicool AHU units for cooling. Containerized data centers are ideal for edge computing as they offer flexible, scalable, and rapid deployment solutions, meeting the growing need for immediate data processing in sectors like IoT, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities.
The 20-foot container dominates the containerized data center market due to its optimal balance of portability and capacity. This standard size offers a versatile solution, fitting easily into existing logistics frameworks while providing sufficient space for critical IT infrastructure. Its compact dimensions make it ideal for deployments in urban areas with limited space, as well as for remote or temporary installations. The 20-foot container's popularity is also driven by its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in cooling and power distribution, meeting the needs of a wide range of industries seeking scalable, flexible, and rapid deployment of data center solutions.
Large organization holds the largest share of the industry
Large organizations hold the largest share of the containerized data center market due to their extensive IT infrastructure needs and significant capital resources. These organizations, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, and tech giants, require scalable and flexible data center solutions to manage vast amounts of data and support global operations. Containerized data centers offer these large entities the ability to quickly deploy high-density computing environments, ensuring business continuity and disaster recovery. Additionally, their robust security features and energy-efficient designs align with corporate sustainability goals, making them an attractive option for large-scale enterprises aiming to optimize their data management strategies.
Greenfield represents the leading market segment
Greenfield projects represent the leading segment in the containerized data center market, driven by the increasing demand for scalable and efficient data infrastructure. These projects involve the construction of entirely new data centers on undeveloped land, allowing for customized and optimized design to meet specific requirements. Greenfield deployments offer the advantage of incorporating the latest technologies and innovations from the ground up, enhancing energy efficiency and operational performance. This segment's growth is fueled by the rising need for flexible and rapid deployment of data centers in emerging markets and remote locations, where traditional data center setups may be impractical or too costly.
IT and telecommunications exhibits a clear dominance in the market
The IT and telecommunications sector exhibits clear dominance in the containerized data center market due to its significant need for scalable, flexible, and rapid deployment of data infrastructure. This industry relies heavily on robust and efficient data centers to manage massive volumes of data, ensure low latency, and maintain high-speed connectivity. Containerized data centers offer an ideal solution by providing modular, portable, and energy-efficient facilities that can be deployed quickly in response to fluctuating demands. Additionally, the ability to easily scale operations and integrate with existing networks makes containerized data centers particularly appealing to IT and telecommunications companies, driving their market leadership.
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest containerized data center market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for containerized data center.
North America leads the containerized data center market, accounting for the largest share due to several key factors. The region's dominance is driven by its advanced IT infrastructure, high adoption rates of cloud computing, and significant investments in data center technologies by major corporations. Additionally, the presence of tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services enhances market growth through continuous innovation and expansion. For instance, major cloud service providers like Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle are investing heavily in data centers to support the growing demand for artificial intelligence. Their spending on cloud computing capabilities reached nearly $160 billion in 2022, with a 30% increase over the past five years. The surge in AI usage is driving this demand, causing a need for more power and infrastructure. North America's focus on energy efficiency and sustainability further boosts the adoption of containerized data centers, which offer scalable, portable, and efficient solutions. Government initiatives and supportive regulations also contribute to the region's leading position in this market.
(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)