Dajin Heavy Industry Selected ULSTEIN Vessel Design
The manufacturer is moving into offshore installation, targeting monopiles and substations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Dajin Heavy Industry has officially selected the ULSTEIN HX122 design to power its entry into the offshore installation market. The move allows the firm to provide integrated services for monopiles, jacket foundations, and substations.
Why it matters
By adopting this specialized design, Dajin aims to capture a larger portion of the offshore wind value chain. The investment reflects a strategic shift from pure manufacturing to providing comprehensive installation capabilities for major infrastructure projects.
Dajin Heavy Industry adopted the HX122 vessel design for its new fleet, marking a strategic pivot in its service model. This selection represents the company's first formal step toward competing in the offshore wind foundation installation market.
The players
Dajin Heavy Industry
An industrial manufacturer expanding its footprint into offshore installation services for the wind energy sector.
Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V.
A Netherlands-based marine engineering firm that specializes in designing vessels for offshore energy and construction sectors.
The details
The HX122 design features the U-STERN hull solution, which is specifically engineered to handle complex offshore logistics and heavy lifts. This technical integration allows the vessel to efficiently install monopiles, jacket foundations, and offshore substations. For Dajin, the design choice is a pivot to consolidate its footprint across the offshore wind value chain by offering installation services alongside its existing manufacturing operations.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Announcement of the vessel design selection.
Market Landscape
The adoption of the ULSTEIN HX122 vessel design marks Dajin Heavy Industry's entry into a sector dominated by firms providing end-to-end offshore construction support. This development follows a broader industry trend where manufacturers are vertically integrating to control project delivery costs and timelines.
Operators in the offshore wind supply chain should monitor how Dajin's new installation capacity impacts existing service contract pricing. Businesses competing in the installation space should assess whether this expanded offering shifts the competitive barrier for foundation-setting projects.
The takeaway
Dajin's pivot into installation services demonstrates the growing value of controlling project delivery in the offshore wind market. Executives should track if this vertical integration model becomes the standard for other heavy industry suppliers looking to buffer against manufacturing margin compression.
Further reading
For more on evolving corporate approaches to vertical integration, visit Business Strategy.
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Is it better for wind energy companies to control all installation services in-house?
