Shenzhen Tanhai Yacht Industry Development Co., Ltd. (Tanhai Company) has become the first branch in China for the high-end yacht brand Sea Expandary.
Based in Qingdao, the branch’s operations will span sales of recreational and sports vessels, ship and yacht leasing, non-vessel operating common carrier services, port-related maritime support, marine leisure services, and the rental of specialised equipment and machinery.
Tanhai Company is an affiliate of Sea Expandary which was launched by JD.com founder Richard Liu (Liu Qiangdong) earlier in 2026, marking his entry into the marine industry and the establishment of a new Chinese superyacht brand.
The new branch, headed by Fu Chuanyu, will use Qingdao’s port facilities and tourism resources to tap into the mass-market consumer sector for recreational boating in Northern China.
The establishment of the Sea Expandary Qingdao branch marks the latest move by Liu to expand his yacht business.
High-end customised yachts
Sea Expandary has also registered the wholly-owned subsidiary – Dalian Tanhai Yacht Co, Ltd – with a registered capital of 100 million yuan and located in Dalian City, Liaoning Province.
The company operates in the railway, shipbuilding, aerospace, and other transportation equipment manufacturing sector with its business scope including the manufacture and sale of recreational and sports boats, the manufacture of marine auxiliary equipment, the sale and leasing of vessels, and the R&D, manufacture, and sale of marine engineering equipment.
The project is reported to have an initial investment of RMB 15 billion to construct a production line for high-end, customised yachts in Dalian.
The site will focus primarily on the R&D, design, and manufacturing of large yachts and components, as well as the creation and operation of a yacht service hub.
Cooperation agreements
It is also understood that Sea Expandary has signed cooperation agreements with governments in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
Under the agreements, Zhuhai will invest in the construction of a yacht manufacturing base and Shenzhen will establish a China headquarters for yacht operations and participate in the development and management of multiple marinas and supporting facilities.
In addition, supporting activities such as an R&D innovation centre, a yacht operations and service centre, and a bonded maintenance centre, will be established in the Greater Bay Area.
At the launch of Sea Expandary, Liu announced a personal investment of 5 billion yuan to enter the yacht industry.
Orders for five 72-metre catamaran yachts are said to have been received by Sea Expandary.
