HD Hyundai launches Peruvian navy ship in landmark overseas co-production project
The launch of the Chimbote marks HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' first naval vessel co-produced with an overseas shipyard.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, 12th from right, and members of the Peruvian navy, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and SIMA shipyard wave during a launching ceremony for the amphibious support ship Chimbote, jointly built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and SIMA shipyard in Peru, on Aug. 18
PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PERU
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched an amphibious support ship for the Peruvian navy on Tuesday, marking the company's first successful co-production of a naval vessel with an overseas shipyard.
The Chimbote, the first of two such vessels being co-built with Peru's state-run Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) shipyard, was launched under a new class of amphibious support ships for the Peruvian Navy, the shipbuilder said. The second vessel, the Talara, completed all onshore construction processes earlier this month.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries won an order from the Peruvian navy in April 2024 for a total of four vessels, including frigates, offshore patrol vessels and amphibious support ships.
"This is significant not simply because we are building a single vessel, but because we are building capabilities for the future," Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori said. "This project is also contributing to job creation, human resource development and the expansion of the shipbuilding industry's supply chain."
"The launch of the Chimbote is an achievement of 'Team Korea,' realized through the united effort of the public and private sectors," said COO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Naval & Medium Size Ships Business Unit Joo Won-ho. The company "will continue to enhance the competitiveness of Korean-built vessels and diversify its export markets."
The significance of this Peru vessel export deal lies in the shift from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' conventional approach of "domestic construction followed by delivery of the finished product" to "local co-production through technology cooperation." HD Hyundai Heavy Industries provided design and technical support, while SIMA used its own production facilities to participate in block production and assembly, outfitting, testing and sea trials.
"As more countries are requesting that their ordered vessels be built locally, we expect further growth in exports going forward," an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries source said. "We are also currently carrying out the basic design for the Peruvian navy's next-generation 1,500-ton submarine, and we are maintaining close cooperation with the Peruvian government to begin construction of the lead vessel immediately after the design is completed."
BY KO SUK-HYUN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
