COTECMAR Delivers First Indigenous Ocean Patrol Vessel to Colombian Navy
On January 31, 2026, Colombian shipbuilder COTECMAR officially handed over the Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV) ARC 24 de Julio to the Colombian Navy at Naval Base ARC Bolívar in Cartagena. The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, Commander of the Colombian Navy. This 93-meter vessel, launched in July 2025, is the largest warship designed and built entirely in Colombia, culminating a decade-long collaboration between COTECMAR and the Navy from initial concept to delivery.
Technical Configuration
The ARC 24 de Julio has a displacement of approximately 2,000 tons, with a beam of 14 meters and a draft of 3.9 meters. It is specifically designed for extended maritime security operations, including patrol, surveillance, interdiction, and search and rescue missions across both Caribbean and Pacific waters. While COTECMAR has not disclosed detailed specifications regarding propulsion and performance, the vessel’s dimensions categorize it within the standard OPV range, suggesting an endurance suitable for Colombia’s extensive maritime zones.
This vessel features a flight deck capable of accommodating medium helicopters, although it lacks permanent aviation facilities. This design choice aligns with Colombia’s operational needs for occasional helicopter deployment rather than continuous aviation operations. The construction of the ARC 24 de Julio utilized over 1,070 tons of steel, 11 tons of aluminum, and approximately 90 kilometers of cabling. COTECMAR has emphasized that the vessel incorporates modern design solutions aimed at enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and longevity, although specific systems have not been publicly detailed.
Project Timeline and Industrial Impact
COTECMAR began construction of the ARC 24 de Julio in March 2023, completing the vessel in approximately two and a half years. This project has generated significant employment, creating 1,114 direct jobs and an additional 2,228 indirect and induced positions across 343 national and international suppliers. The employment impact extends beyond Cartagena’s industrial zone, involving various Colombian manufacturing and service companies nationwide.
Vice Admiral Luis Fernando Márquez Velosa, president of COTECMAR, described the delivery as a “tangible demonstration of Colombian talent, national industry capacity, and the value of institutional collaboration to build complex naval platforms aligned with international standards.” The development of the vessel began in 2016, following COTECMAR’s experience in constructing smaller patrol craft and support vessels for the Colombian Navy. The ten-year timeline from concept to delivery reflects the technical learning curve for a shipyard transitioning from building foreign-designed vessels to developing indigenous designs.
Strategic Context
The delivery of the ARC 24 de Julio comes as Colombia pursues broader fleet modernization under its PF2030 planning document. The Navy is concurrently managing the PES frigate program with Damen Shipyards, which will deliver five SIGMA 10514-class frigates starting in 2026. The OPV program represents a parallel effort focused on enhancing domestic design capabilities rather than relying on foreign designs.
Established in 2000, COTECMAR has evolved from performing maintenance and limited construction to managing complex shipbuilding programs. The company now serves as Colombia’s primary naval industrial base, having delivered patrol boats to Brazil, Guatemala, and Honduras, while also maintaining vessels for regional navies, including the Royal Netherlands Navy. COTECMAR’s facility in Cartagena spans 186,000 square meters and includes 11 docks and synchronous lift systems. The ARC 24 de Julio marks a significant milestone as the first large combatant designed entirely by Colombian engineers, positioning Colombia among a select group of Latin American nations capable of designing and constructing ocean-going warships domestically, alongside Brazil and Chile. This delivery also opens potential export opportunities in the regional OPV market, although no foreign orders for the design have been announced yet.
