The latest entrant is wind power equipment manufacturer Titan Wind Energy (Suzhou) Co. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed company announced on 21 July that it had secured a contract to build two firm 113,800-dwt Aframax crude oil tankers, with options for two additional vessels.

The company did not disclose the identity of the customer, describing it only as a "renowned international shipowner." The contract, including the optional vessels, is valued at approximately US$277M, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029.

Titan Wind Energy said the order marks its entry into another major high-end vessel segment, following its previous involvement in Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) projects.

Shipbroking sources noted that the company has no previous experience in mainstream commercial shipbuilding.

Founded in 2005 and listed in Shenzhen in 2010, Titan Wind Energy is one of China’s leading wind power equipment manufacturers. Its core businesses include the production of wind towers, blades, offshore wind foundations, offshore substations and other wind power equipment, as well as the development and operation of wind farms.

Titan Wind Energy’s move is reminiscent of Dajin Heavy Industry, another Chinese offshore equipment manufacturer that successfully diversified into commercial shipbuilding. Originally known for building deck carriers and offshore units, Dajin later entered the large bulk carrier market, winning orders from major Greek and Norwegian shipowners.