Lima: STX Corp., a South Korean general trading firm, has unveiled two patrol vessels being built for the Peruvian Navy at a ship christening ceremony in the South American nation earlier this month. The ceremony for the launch of the patrol boats -- the B.A.P. Rio Huarmey and the B.A.P. Rio Nepena -- was held at the Peruvian national shipyard SIMA on January 10. It was attended by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and senior government and military officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, STX stated that the boats, constructed in collaboration with SIMA, were designed to strengthen Peru's coastal defense capabilities. The vessels are identical, each measuring 56.4 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width, with a maximum speed of 23 knots. The construction of these vessels is anticipated to be completed by the second half of the year, after which they will be delivered to the Peruvian Navy for coastal patrol operations.

STX has established a strong partnership with the Peruvian Navy through its previous involvement in the construction of patrol vessels. From 2013 to 2021, STX supported the building of six patrol vessels for the Peruvian Navy. In May 2023, the company secured a US$36 million contract with the Peruvian government for the construction of the seventh and eighth vessels.