Vlissingen, 4 December 2024 – Damen Naval is signing a contract with classification society, Lloyd’s Register, on the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES) frigate for Colombia. Colombian shipbuilder COTECMAR (Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval, Marítima y Fluvial) will build the frigate on its shipyard in Colombia.
Following a successful design study contract with COTECMAR, Damen Naval signed a contract for the delivery of engineering, technical support and the shipbuilding materials and equipment for the first frigate in August 2024. Lloyd’s Register has been involved with the project since the end of 2022, initially for Plan Approval Services within the design study contract. The company has now been contracted to execute the full Plan Approval in the project execution phase.
“This project allows Damen Naval, as a trusted partner, to enable COTECMAR, the Colombian Navy and the Colombian maritime industry to construct a frigate locally for the first time. In this way, it contributes to a strong, self-sufficient defense industry in Colombia,” says Damen Naval Project Director Jasper Oreel. “Our partnership with Lloyd’s Register will help ensure that the vessel will live up to a modern-day safety standard.”
The PES design is based on the successful Damen Naval SIGMA 10514 series, which has previously been built for Indonesia and Mexico. The SIGMA 10514 offers versatility and combat capability and is customised to meet Colombia’s specific requirements. “Lloyd’s Register will assess the design and provide support to maximise the safety and assurance of the vessel”, says Yorick Spoelstra, Business Development Manager Navy. “Lloyd’s is very proud to be part of this project, building further on our longstanding relationship with Damen Naval”.
The Colombian frigate will have a length of 107 meters and a beam of 14 meters.
COTECMAR is Colombia’s leading shipyard in Cartagena. The partnership with Damen Naval allows the yard to construct a national frigate on Colombian soil for the first time. The project represents a significant investment in generating skilled local employment, promotes knowledge transfer, and strengthens Colombia’s defence industry with a focus on self-sufficiency. Colombia will be the third country in Latin America that is able to build these types of complex naval vessels under license at its own shipyards.
The first PES frigate is scheduled to be delivered to the Colombian Navy in 2030.
Damen Shipyards Group – Oceans of Possibilities
Damen Shipyards Group has been in operation for over ninety-five years and offers maritime solutions worldwide, through design, construction, conversion and repair of ships and ship components. By integrating systems we create innovative, high quality platforms, which provide our customers with maximum added value.
Our core values are fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and stewardship. Our goal is to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder, via digitalisation, standardisation and serial construction of our innovative vessels and through use of circular materials.
Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies in 20 countries, supported by a worldwide sales and service network. We deliver in the region of 100 vessels per year, with a total production value of over 3 billion euros. We offer direct employment to approximately 12,500 people. In all that we do, our aim to ensure a positive impact on the local environment and society.
Damen Naval – Securing Our Seas
Damen Naval is the dedicated naval shipbuilding division of the Damen Shipyards Group, with roots that go back almost 150 years – to the Royal Schelde yard in Vlissingen. As the only naval original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the Netherlands, we also engage the entire naval construction industry.
Having delivered more than 400 vessels to customers around the world, Damen Naval can fulfil the role of designer, engineer, builder, integrator, and service provider throughout the entire lifecycle of our ships.
For our launching customer, Damen Naval is working strategically with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to renew and replace the Royal Netherlands Navy fleet. This includes the Combat Support Ship and the new Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates. In addition, Damen Naval leads a range of naval projects for NATO/EU partners, including the ASW frigates for the Belgian Navy and the F126 frigate programme for the German Navy.
While taking pride in our heritage, we are looking towards the future.
