ASMAR
ASMAR (Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada) is the Chilean state-owned naval shipyard, founded in 1895, operating three industrial plants in Valparaíso, Talcahuano and Magallanes for ship repair, maintenance and naval construction, and now establishing wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) capability at its Valparaíso Advanced Manufacturing Center.
- CEO / Founder
- José Miguel Hernández Jacir
- Team Size
- 1001-5000
- Stage
- Established
Technology & Products
Key Products
Ship repair, maintenance, modernization and conversion; naval construction (including LPD-93 Magallanes, LPD-94 Rapa Nui multipurpose vessels, icebreaker Almirante Viel); industrial equipment repair and calibration; special projects for industrial fishing and salmon farming; Pumar brand semi-rigid and inflatable boats; and WAAM-based metal additive manufacturing for large naval components.
Technological Advantage
Established WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) capability at the Valparaíso Advanced Manufacturing Center, led by Universidad Federico Santa María (USM) researchers and funded by Corfo's PATI program, enabling large-format metal part fabrication and repair that reduces material waste (up to 90% of billet discarded in conventional machining) and shortens critical spare procurement from 6-12 months.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
ASMAR provides integrated ship repair, maintenance, modernization and naval construction services for the Chilean Navy, government vessels and merchant/fishing fleets, with certified standards and over 130 years of experience. Its new Advanced Manufacturing Center adds local metal additive manufacturing to produce and repair critical large-format naval components, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers with 6-12 month lead times.
How They Differentiate
ASMAR differentiates through its scale and technical specialization in large naval construction projects (LPD vessels, icebreakers) combined with a WAAM metal additive manufacturing initiative that aims to build local fabrication, control and certification capabilities rather than simply importing machinery, positioning it as a regional leader in advanced naval manufacturing.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Chilean Navy (primary), foreign government vessels, national and international shipowners, merchant and fishing fleets, and the naval supply chain.
Industry Verticals
Naval defense, maritime transport, commercial shipping, fishing and aquaculture, with planned expansion into mining and aerospace repair applications.
Competitors
SIMA (Servicios Industriales de la Marina, Peru); COTECMAR (Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval Marítima y Fluvial, Colombia); Astimar (Mexico).
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Consolidated operating revenues of approximately USD 210.6 million in fiscal year 2025 (USD 205.3 million in 2024); no long-term financial debt, financing operations and investments with its own cash flow; annual losses of up to USD 300,000 from material waste in high-value naval bronze machining; downtime costs of USD 15,000-20,000 per day (up to USD 2.7 million for a six-month out-of-service vessel).
Major Milestones
Founded 1895; became a separate state legal entity in 1960; launched LPD-93 Magallanes (June 2026); laid keel of LPD-94 Rapa Nui (August 2026); inaugurated Valparaíso Advanced Manufacturing Center; launched WAAM metal additive manufacturing project (September 2026) funded by Corfo PATI and led by USM.
Notable Customers
Armada de Chile (Chilean Navy) — including the LPD-93 Magallanes, LPD-94 Rapa Nui, and icebreaker Almirante Viel; the frigate Almirante Williams (for which ASMAR manufactured a fire-pump impeller locally).