Chinese manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry has selected the ULSTEIN HX122 design, equipped with the U-STERN hull solution, for its new offshore installation vessel for wind projects.
Ulstein Design & Solutions, based in the Netherlands, has designed the vessel.
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The ULSTEIN HX122 vessel is intended for the installation of monopile and jacket foundations, as well as offshore substations, to support the growing requirements of the offshore wind industry.
This project marks a shift for Dajin Heavy Industry from its established roles in manufacturing, transportation and logistics to active participation in offshore installation work.
Dajin Heavy Industry supplies offshore wind foundations and related services. The company aims to broaden its offering by adding installation capabilities and streamlining project execution by minimising the number of separate parties involved.
The vessel has been developed to handle larger and more complex future offshore wind projects, including the installation of future 4XL monopiles.
In addition to its primary focus on offshore wind, the vessel design allows it to be used in oil and gas construction and decommissioning tasks.
The ULSTEIN HX122 vessel features a large working deck, dynamic positioning and advanced lifting equipment.
The hull solution enables the longitudinal storage and upending of monopiles along the centreline at the vessel’s stern.
This configuration, together with the X-BOW hull form, is designed to support installation operations with the vessel oriented into prevailing sea conditions. It also seeks to improve operability and expand the potential working weather window.
The move reflects ongoing industry development as demand for larger installation vessels grows alongside increasingly complex offshore wind projects.
Dajin Heavy Industry vice-president Feng Qi said: “Offshore wind has entered a new development phase, and installation capacity is the core bottleneck for project delivery. The ULSTEIN HX122 with U-STERN project represents Dajin’s strategic layout to close the final link in offshore wind foundation delivery.
“We aim to develop high-performance, multi-functional installation platforms, enabling a shift from developers’ separate coordination of manufacturing, transportation and installation to Dajin’s one-stop delivery, to better support large-scale offshore wind development.”
