Insights from Global Offshore Wind Supply Chain Integration: New Opportunities for Latin America's Energy Transition

A Look at Global Trends Through a Cooperation

AD Ports Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese offshore wind equipment manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry to jointly explore the development of offshore wind supply chains, port infrastructure, and strategic vessel investments. This agreement builds on AD Ports Group's recent expansion in the offshore renewable energy sector, including collaborations with Masdar, Siemens Energy, and Green Parrot, as well as the acquisition of the Spanish shipyard Balenciaga Astilleros, which specializes in offshore wind construction.

This cooperation is not an isolated event. Globally, offshore wind is becoming a core track in the energy transition, with governments and the private sector accelerating their deployment. According to the reference content, the parties will evaluate transportation solutions for offshore wind components, development of pre-assembly centers, participation in bids for specific projects, as well as manufacturing, assembly, and logistics services. This vertical integration model of "port + manufacturing" is expected to significantly reduce project costs and shorten delivery cycles.

Latin America's Opportunity: Driven by Both Resources and Demand

Latin America possesses some of the most promising offshore wind resources globally, particularly in countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Brazil has a coastline of 7,400 kilometers with stable wind speeds, and its electricity market is shifting toward renewable energy. The northern waters of Chile, influenced by Pacific trade winds, have high wind energy density. However, as of 2026, Latin America's installed offshore wind capacity remains near zero, constrained by a lack of infrastructure, policy uncertainty, and high capital costs.

The cooperation model between AD Ports and Dajin provides an important reference for Latin America: by introducing international partners with experience in port operations and heavy manufacturing, localized supply chains can be rapidly built. If Latin American countries want to seize this wave of green energy investment, they need to address three key areas as priorities:

1. Port Upgrading: Most existing ports serve traditional commodity exports and lack dedicated berths and lifting capacity for large wind turbine components. Drawing on AD Ports' operational experience, Latin American ports can plan dedicated terminals. 2. Local Manufacturing Capability: Chinese manufacturers like Dajin Heavy Industry have cost advantages in steel structures such as towers and foundations. Through joint ventures or technology transfer, Latin America can gradually achieve localized production. 3. Financial Instruments: Offshore wind projects require huge initial investments. Latin America needs to leverage tools such as multilateral development banks and green bonds to reduce financing costs.

Industry Benefits: A Full-Chain Boost from Energy to Manufacturing

If Latin America successfully replicates this cooperation model, the beneficiary industries will extend far beyond the power sector:

• Manufacturing: Localization of wind power equipment will drive downstream industries such as steel, cement, and composite materials, creating high-skilled employment.- Manufacturing: Localization of wind power equipment will drive downstream industries such as steel, cement, and composite materials, creating high-skilled employment.
• Logistics and Ports: Transportation of wind turbine components becomes a new growth point, increasing port throughput and ancillary service revenue.
• Engineering Services: Demand for offshore construction, installation, and operation and maintenance fosters the growth of local enterprises.
• Finance and Insurance: Demand for financial services such as project financing and risk hedging increases.1. Deepening Chinese Elements: Chinese manufacturers like Dajin Heavy Industry enter Latin America through similar collaborations, forming a triangular model of "Made in China + Middle East logistics + Local operations".
• 2. Green Hydrogen Exports: Offshore wind power will provide cheap electricity for large-scale green hydrogen production, and Latin America is expected to become one of the global green hydrogen export centers.
• 3. Industrial Chain Extension: Upgrading from pure wind power development to a complete ecosystem of local manufacturing, operations and maintenance services, and technology R&D.
• 4. Financial Innovation: Instruments such as green infrastructure REITs and sustainable bonds attract pension funds and sovereign funds to participate.

Conclusion

The cooperation between AD Ports and Dajin Heavy Industry is a microcosm of the accelerated integration of the global offshore wind power supply chain. For Latin America, this means opportunity – if it can learn from this model, optimize the policy environment, and upgrade infrastructure, Latin America is expected to become a new hotspot for global offshore wind power investment in the next decade, while promoting its own energy transition and industrial upgrading. Time is of the essence; action is needed to lead the way.