On September 26, 2024, Colombia’s COTECMAR Shipyard, the largest naval shipyard in the country, opened its doors to Naval News and answered questions about its role in the country’s shipbuilding industry, as well as the latest updates on ongoing projects.
COTECMAR (Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Marítima) shipyard is located in Cartagena, which was founded in 1973 and has since become a significant player in the maritime industry in Colombia and Latin America. It features modern facilities equipped for the construction and maintenance of various types of vessels, including military ships, patrol boats, cargo ships, and fishing vessels.
While the shipyard offers a range of services, including shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance, it has been involved in several military projects, producing vessels for the Colombian Navy, such as patrol boats, support ships, and multipurpose vessels. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the naval capabilities of the Colombian Armed Forces.
While the shipyard engaged in significant projects for the Colombian Navy, such as research ships and offshore patrol vessels, it recently signed an contract with Dutch Damen Shipyard for the construction of country’s most important warship project based on SIGMA 10514 model, namely Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES – Strategic Surface Platform). This will be COTECMAR’s first experience in building a frigate, which is expected to provide a huge experience to the shipyard in constructing large naval combatants.
Naval News’ correspondent Tayfun Özberk visited COTECMAR Shipyard in Cartagena
Vice Admiral (VADM) Luis Fernando Marquez Velosa, the President of COTECMAR Shipyard, answered the questions of Naval News about the shipyard’s capabilities and ongoing projects.
NN: Can you give us information about COTECMAR’s role in the Colombian shipbuilding industry?
VADM Márquez: COTECMAR has played a fundamental role in the evolution and modernization of the Colombian naval, maritime, and riverine industries. It has been an undisputed leader in the shipyard and shipbuilding sector, managing the strengthening of the country’s productive chain through initiatives such as the “Pro-Astillero” program, which allows this industry to be revitalized and consolidated as a synthesis industry.
Throughout its 24 years, COTECMAR has promoted the construction of river patrol boats, coastal patrol vessel,s and logistical support vessels, among others. A recent emblematic project is the construction of the Colombian Oceanic Patrol Vessel (OPV) or Patrullera Oceánica Colombia(POC Spanish), which will be the largest and most complex vessel built in the country with national talent. In addition, it has promoted the creation of vessels with social purposes, such as the hospital ship, whose objective is to provide medical care to coastal populations in remote areas of the Colombian Pacific.
NN: Can we learn about the shipyard’s capabilities? Are you working only on new shipyard projects or do you also provide maintenance to Colombian Navy vessels?
VADM Márquez: COTECMAR not only works on the construction of new projects but is also dedicated to the maintenance and repair of vessels. In 2023, COTECMAR serviced more than 150 vessels, both from the Colombian Navy and from navies in the region and international shipping companies. In terms of its design capacity, COTECMAR stands out for developing river patrol vessels, coastal patrol vessels, and ocean patrol vessels, all 100% of its own designs. In addition, it has innovated in the creation of advanced platform control systems and communications and data systems to optimize performance and safety in naval operations.
NN: Can you tell us about the ongoing shipbuilding projects and their importance for the Colombian Navy?
VADM Márquez: Among the most important ongoing projects, COTECMAR is building the Colombian Oceanic Patrol Boat (POC) and the hospital ship. Also notable is the construction of the inshore boat for the General Maritime Directorate, which is the largest aluminum boat built in Colombia, and the river piers for CorMagdalena and Fontur, which have a significant social impact by improving connectivity and the development of riverside communities. These projects are vital for the country’s security, defense, and social well-being, as they enable the Navy to improve its operational capacity and bring essential services to remote regions.
NN: Can you give us information about Damen’s SIGMA 10514-based Strategic Surface Platform? What is the level of cooperation with Damen? What are COTECMAR’s responsibilities?
VADM Márquez: The Strategic Surface Platform (PES) project is the first frigate built in Colombia, and as you mentioned, its design is based on Damen’s SIGMA 10514. This is a co-development between Damen and Cotecmar. In this particular project, Cotecmar’s responsibility is to build this frigate with Colombian labor for the Colombian Navy based on the stipulated specifications, and there is a contract with Damen for the provision of technical services, the supply of materials and equipment, and technical assistance in the development of the construction of the frigate.
NN: Can we learn about the future projects of the COTECMAR Shipyard?
VADM Márquez: Regarding future projects, COTECMAR is preparing for the construction of the first Colombian frigate (PES), the continuation of the construction of some projects like the Colombian Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV), hospital ship, logistic ship, piers for riverside communities. These are some projects that we have for our navy and particular clients.
