Cotecmar and Damen Sign Contract for Colombia’s First Locally-Built Frigate

Cotecmar, Colombia’s state-owned naval technology firm, has signed a contract with Dutch shipbuilder Damen to construct the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES), the first frigate built in Colombia for the Colombian Navy. The agreement, finalized in Cartagena, involves technical services, material supply, and engineering support.

The PES frigate will measure 107.5 meters in length and 14.02 meters in width. The vessel is part of a broader contract that also includes the construction of a logistical support ship and an ocean patrol vessel, both supported by Colombia’s Ministry of Defense.

This project is expected to generate significant employment and foster domestic industrial supply chains. It aligns with the country’s reindustrialization efforts, positioning Colombia as a player in the global naval sector.

The contract-signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both Cotecmar and Damen, as well as high-ranking officials from the Colombian Navy and the Dutch ambassador to Colombia.