Callao, Peru — HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Peru’s state-owned shipyard SIMA Perú have launched BAP Chimbote, the second logistics and landing support ship (BALOG) for the Peruvian Navy. The launch took place on August 18, about one week after the launch of the lead vessel, BAP Talara, on August 8.
Although BAP Chimbote was launched second, it was the first of the two vessels to be built and carries pennant number 159. BAP Talara carries pennant number 160. Both ships are named after major Peruvian port cities and are designed for personnel and cargo transport, logistics support, disaster relief and emergency-response missions.
The launch ceremony was attended by Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde Llosa, Peruvian Navy Commander General Admiral Federico Javier Bravo de Rueda Delgado, South Korean Ambassador to Peru Choi Jong-uk, and HD HHI President Won-ho Joo.
“This launch of B.A.P. Chimbote represents a significant achievement made possible by the combined efforts of Team Korea and close public-private cooperation,” Won-ho Joo said. “We will continue to strengthen the competitiveness of K-Naval solutions and diversify our global export markets.”
Ship specifications and role
BAP Chimbote is based on HD HHI’s HDL-1400 Landing Craft Unit (LCU) design. It has a full-load displacement of approximately 1,646 tons, is 58.9 meters long and 13.2 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 10 knots.
The ship is powered by two Caterpillar C18 diesel engines producing 450 HP and has an estimated range of 1,500 nautical miles. Its payload includes military vehicles, up to 21 shipping containers, 211 cubic meters of freshwater and 223 cubic meters of ship fuel. It also has a 20-ton-capacity crane and a rear aviation deck capable of supporting helicopter take-off and landing operations.
The vessels are intended not only for military logistics but also for national emergencies. They can transport heavy rescue equipment, emergency supplies, fuel and potable water to isolated coastal areas, including locations where conventional infrastructure has been damaged or is unavailable.
$463 million four-vessel program
The ship is being built under an agreement signed by HD HHI and SIMA Perú on April 16, 2024, after HD HHI was selected as the preferred bidder on March 27, 2024.
The $463 million contract covers four vessels: one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and two 1,500-ton LCUs. It represents the largest order by vessel volume for a Korean shipbuilder in the Latin American defense industry.
HD HHI provides the vessel designs, equipment and material packages and technical support, while SIMA carries out block fabrication, assembly, outfitting, testing and sea trials. With HD HHI support, SIMA is scheduled to construct and deliver all four vessels to the Peruvian Navy by 2029.
The project also includes the transfer of ship-design, modular-manufacturing and quality-control capabilities to support Peru’s domestic shipbuilding industry. The effort has received support from South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, DAPA, the Korean Embassy in Peru and KOTRA.
HD HHI is also carrying out the basic design of the Peruvian Navy’s next-generation submarine, with plans to proceed to construction of the first submarine after completion of the design.
According to HD HHI’s March 2024 announcement, Peru has also planned potential future orders for five frigates, four OPVs and two landing ships over the next 15 years, with HD HHI seeking to work with the Peruvian Navy on its longer-term fleet modernization.
——— End of Article ———
