HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Wednesday it has launched the Chimbote, the first of two landing support ships being jointly built in Peru under a new export model combining Korean technology with local production.
The vessel was launched at the shipyard of Peru’s state-run Servicios Industriales de la Marina, or SIMA.
Designed for the Peruvian Navy, the Chimbote can transport personnel and supplies while supporting logistics and disaster-response operations. Its sister ship, the Talara, completed onshore construction work earlier this month.
In April 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries won a contract from the Peruvian Navy for four vessels: one frigate, one offshore patrol vessel and two landing support ships. Construction of the two support ships began simultaneously.
The project represents a shift in the Korean shipbuilder’s naval export strategy.
Instead of building completed vessels in Korea for delivery overseas, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is providing ship designs and technical expertise while working with SIMA to produce the ships locally.
SIMA has handled block production and assembly, outfitting, testing and commissioning at its Peruvian facilities, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries providing engineering and technical support.
The company said the model could strengthen its competitiveness in future naval contracts as more governments require warships to be built domestically and seek technology transfers alongside vessel purchases.
Korean government agencies also supported the project. The Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration worked with their Peruvian counterparts; the Korean Embassy in Peru and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency assisted with government communications.
“The launch of the Chimbote was made possible through cooperation between the public and private sectors,” HD Hyundai Heavy Industries President Joo Won-ho said.
“We will strengthen the competitiveness of Korean shipbuilding and diversify our export markets.”
Source: The Korea Herald