Damen Naval is increasing its presence in Colombia by working with Georg Fischer for the PES project in LATAM. This project involves the construction of a Damen SIGMA frigate at COTECMAR’s shipyard in Cartagena. Georg Fischer has been hired to provide all the necessary plastic piping for the PES project.
In addition to supplying plastic piping, the contract with Damen Naval also includes training sessions for COTECMAR staff in Colombia. This enhances the transfer of technology and knowledge as part of the PES project. The contract also covers the provision of tools needed for the training.
The local training will be led by Jesús López Ribón, the Business Development Manager at Georg Fischer, who knows COTECMAR’s yard well. He mentioned, “This project is a significant step for the naval industry in Colombia. We are proud to offer not just high-quality products, but also technical expertise that will help the Colombian Navy operate at top standards.”
Julio Valls, the Head of LATAM Region for Georg Fischer, commented: “Damen Naval’s choice to involve local suppliers for a project of this magnitude is a unique opportunity for the region. At Georg Fischer, we are committed to providing excellent service everywhere we work. This collaboration shows our long-term goal: to facilitate technology transfer and make Latin America a reliable partner in important projects, while ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability at all levels.”
Roxanne Bartelse, a Tactical Buyer at Damen Naval, stated: “This procurement contract enhances local expertise and meets our local content requirements. Our recent visit to Georg Fischer offered valuable insights into the supplier’s progress and capabilities. I believe this partnership will meet both our current and future needs.”
Mark den Boeft, who oversees Manufacturing Engineering for the PES project, shared, “Working closely with a local partner in Colombia provides us with expert support on-site, along with high-quality tools and practical training that will have an immediate impact.”
Recently, a delegation from both LATAM’s Georg Fischer and Damen Naval visited Georg Fischer’s headquarters in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, to conduct a quality check before shipping the first batch of plastic piping and tools to Cartagena, Colombia.
Damen Naval also engaged with Colombian suppliers during the annual Expodefensa exhibition (December 1-3, 2025, Bogotá) to explore more local content opportunities.