Colombia’s state-owned shipyard COTECMAR has completed and delivered an Ocean Patrol Vessel to the navy under a shipbuilding initiative that dates back to 2016. The handover of ARC 24 de Julio marks a historic milestone, as it is the largest and most sophisticated warship fully designed and built in Colombia.
Construction of the vessel commenced in March 2023 and spanned nearly two years, consuming more than 1,070 tons of steel. After its launch in July 2025, the ship underwent six months of trials and final outfitting before entering naval service.
The program generated wide-ranging industrial benefits, supporting more than 1,100 direct jobs and over 2,200 indirect roles through a supply chain of 343 companies. The ARC 24 de Julio is 93 meters long, features a 14-meter beam, and includes a flight deck for operating medium maritime helicopters.
Intended for extended patrol, surveillance, interdiction, and search-and-rescue operations, the vessel will focus on Colombia’s Caribbean and Pacific areas of responsibility. Although propulsion and performance data have not yet been released, the ship will support the broader PF2030 naval modernization effort, which also includes the domestic construction of Sigma-class frigates in partnership with Damen, with the first vessel expected to be delivered by 2030.
