German Business Delegation Joins Colombiamar 2025 to Strengthen Maritime Industry Ties
A Milestone in Colombian-German Maritime Cooperation
May 28th, 2025
From March 12 to 14, 2025, the city of Cartagena de Indias hosted the 10th edition of Colombiamar, Latin America’s leading international fair for the naval and maritime industry. This year’s edition was marked by a remarkable German presence, as nearly 50 representatives from German companies and consortia took part in the event, affirming the growing bilateral partnership in the maritime sector.
The German delegation, composed of experts from shipbuilding companies, naval forces, port operators, logistics firms, R&D centers, and academic institutions, was coordinated by the German-Colombian Chamber of Industry and Commerce through the dedicated “Avenida Alemana” exhibition space. Their participation was made possible through the joint efforts of COTECMAR, the Colombian-German Chamber, the Embassy of Colombia in Germany, its Naval Attaché’s office, and ProColombia.
In her remarks during Colombiamar 2025, Ambassador Yadir Salazar Mejía highlighted the strategic importance of fostering sustained industrial and commercial ties between Colombia and Germany:
“Colombia and Germany share a strong affinity and enormous potential to expand their maritime and shipbuilding ecosystems, both in defense and commercial sectors. Continuous dialogue with industry leaders and government officials, coupled with regular presentations of our technological achievements and naval capacities, have paved the way for this excellent exchange witnessed here in Cartagena.”
The German companies showcased a broad portfolio of advanced maritime solutions. Leading firms such as ThyssenKrupp Marine, NBL/Lürssen, HASYTEC Electronics AG, S MariNet, Hoppe Marine GmbH, MARTIN Systems GmbH, and Anschütz — a Kiel-based company driving the automation of next-generation submarines — presented their innovations and future projects aimed at strengthening maritime industries in both countries.
The Colombian Embassy in Germany’s proactive engagement since 2023 with industrial leadership in Hamburg, Bremen, and Kiel, Germany’s primary maritime hubs, has begun positioning Colombian-developed solutions by companies like COTECMAR and generating interest for investment along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Notably, German firms such as Schottel have already taken steps toward increased involvement in the region.
The event also featured key bilateral meetings, led by Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo, Commander of the Colombian Navy, and Vice Admiral Luis Fernando Márquez, President of COTECMAR, alongside the President of FEDEMETAL, the Deputy Director of Colombia’s National Development Department, Mario Valencia, and ProColombia’s Director in Cartagena.
As part of the diplomatic strategy, Ambassador Salazar Mejía visited Astivik Shipyard, holding operational meetings with its president, Pedro Sánchez, and senior executives of Eduardoño S.A. and Astinaves Cartagena. These engagements reinforced mutual interest in advancing shipbuilding, maintenance, and maritime innovation projects.
Finally, the Ambassador traveled to Barranquilla, where she joined Mischa Groh, Executive Director of the German-Colombian Chamber of Commerce, to inaugurate the Colombian-German Binational Energy Forum, organized by the Regional Commission for Competitiveness and Innovation of Atlántico. The forum reaffirmed the shared commitment to diversifying bilateral industrial cooperation beyond the maritime sector.
Through this successful participation at Colombiamar 2025, Colombia and Germany have reaffirmed their dedication to a dynamic, innovative, and future-oriented maritime partnership.
References:
- https://alemania.embajada.gov.co/newsroom/news/cerca-de-50-representantes-de-empresas-y-consorcios-alemanes-participaron-en https://alemania.embajada.gov.co/newsroom/news/cerca-de-50-representantes-de-empresas-y-consorcios-alemanes-participaron-en
