El Salvador is making significant advances with its shipyard project in La Unión. Last week, they initiated the process of contracting South Korean experts to evaluate the feasibility of providing services for large vessels, including cruise ships, in El Salvador.
The establishment of a shipyard industry is President Nayib Bukele’s new venture, positioning El Salvador as an attractive destination for maritime companies traversing the Pacific Ocean in search of ship repair and maintenance services.
According to Cristian Flores, the Presidential Commissioner for Strategic Projects, there is no shipyard on the Pacific coast from northern Mexico to Ecuador. This presents a golden opportunity for El Salvador, given its privileged and strategic location at the heart of the continent.
«The Pacific witnesses the circulation of over 5,000 vessels each year, underscoring the immense potential of this project. Companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean currently contract repair and maintenance services for their fleets in the Caribbean, incurring substantial costs. Therefore, a shipyard in our country not only makes these companies potential clients but also investors,» remarked the official.
Flores emphasized that the initiative has received the backing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Master Plan for Port Development in El Salvador. «The Action Plan presented by UNDP includes the feasibility of maintenance and services for small vessels,» he affirmed.
Furthermore, with support from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and non-repayable funds from the South Korean government, the process has commenced to hire South Korean experts who will determine the feasibility of offering services to large vessels, including cruise ships, in El Salvador. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of South Korea will also provide guidance.
Simultaneously, the government is collaborating with strategic partners and has already signed an agreement with the Spanish company Astilleros Balboa / Astilleros Canario (ASTICAN / ASTIBAL) to train Salvadorans in this industry.
«We are currently in the training phase to enable Salvadorans to pursue higher-level technical skills and specialization in this field, which generates substantial income for countries with shipyards. This phase allows us to educate our youth and utilize our educational infrastructure, potentially creating around 3,000 direct jobs,» the commissioner affirmed.
Additionally, he mentioned that the government, with the technical support of ASTICAN, aims to develop specialized capacities, exchange experiences, provide training, conduct research, and offer internships to establish a solid foundation for this industry.
«We are on the cusp of the future shipyard and naval repair industry of the country, which will position El Salvador as a regional leader in the field,» he concluded.