Chinese wind power equipment manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry has officially entered the offshore wind installation sector by signing a design contract with Norwegian ship design firm Ulstein on September 22, 2026, during the WindEnergy Hamburg trade fair. The agreement covers the new-generation Ulstein HX122 vessel featuring a U-Stern system, marking a strategic expansion for Dajin as it aims to become an integrated delivery provider spanning manufacturing, transportation, home port operations, and installation.
Design Features of the Ulstein HX122 Vessel
The newly contracted vessel utilizes the Ulstein HX122 design, created by Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V., the Rotterdam-based subsidiary of the Norwegian builder. According to project disclosures, the ship is engineered to handle extra-large monopiles (4XL), jacket foundations, and substations, while also supporting offshore oil and gas construction and decommissioning.
The vessel integrates a U-Stern system that enables the longitudinal storage of monopiles and their stern-first tipping during installation. Combined with Ulstein’s signature X-Bow inverted bow, this setup is designed to improve operability and optimize ship movements across varying weather conditions. Project specifications also outline a wide working deck, heavy lifting capabilities, and dynamic positioning systems.
Expanding Global Logistics and Fleet Growth
By securing the Ulstein design contract, Dajin aims to control more of the offshore wind supply chain, reducing the number of separate stakeholders required for large-scale park developments. The company is building its own logistics framework—incorporating dedicated factories, products, vessels, and ports—to deliver components worldwide.
This initiative aligns with a broader expansion of Dajin’s marine fleet, which targets a total of more than ten vessels over the next three years. In February, the company inaugurated the King One in China, a 40,000-deadweight-ton heavy-load carrier designed for long-distance transport of oversized components. Dajin constructed the vessel to address industry-wide shortages in heavy-lift transport capacity for the wind energy and oil and gas sectors.
Strategic Integration Timeline
- February: Dajin inaugurates the King One, its first self-designed heavy-load carrier, in China.
- September 22, 2026: Dajin signs the design contract with Ulstein for the HX122 vessel at the WindEnergy Hamburg trade fair.
- Next Three Years: Dajin targets a fleet expansion exceeding ten specialized vessels to support global offshore wind installation.
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