History – Asmar

The first arsenal of the Chilean Navy was naturally established in Valparaíso, home port of the National Squad, on December 5, 1817. In 1870, it had a naval dockyard on its premises, for which they needed a 2nd Engineer, a mechanic, two blacksmiths, three carpenters, and in 1874, a shipbuilder.

The need to carry out the repair and maintenance of the new units of the Chilean Navy in the country, motivates the construction of a larger capacity dry dock than the existing ones in Chile.

After several studies and works aimed at developing the most convenient project for the Chilean Navy and the country, on February 20, 1896, the Graving Dry Dock No. 1 was inaugurated in the Bay of Concepción, Talcahuano City, thus creating the Marine Arsenals. Along with the dock, workshops and laboratories were conceived to support the repair activities, becoming the most important industrial complex of the time in Chile.

Construction of dry dock N°1 around 1890

In Magallanes, the arsenals were originally settled in June 1896 in “Puerto Zenteno”. In 1900, they relocated to Punta Arenas, starting their activities as the Subdepartment of Naval Engineering, reporting to Commander of the Naval Arsenal. This development would prosper over the years to become what we proudly call today “The Southernmost Shipyard in the World”.

The acquisition of the battleship “Almirante Latorre” by the Chilean Navy led to the building of a second dock of greater capacity: Dry Dock No. 2, inaugurated on July 15, 1924. Thus, the capacity of the Arsenals allowed not only to efficiently satisfy the requirements of the Chilean Navy, but also those of national and foreign shipowners whose vessels transited along the South East Pacific coast.

Inauguration of Dry dock N° 1 (February 20, 1896)

On April 6, 1960, ASMAR – Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Co., was created as an autonomous state-owned company, aimed at satisfying the requirements of maintenance, repair, refit, conversion, upgrading and building of the Chilean Navy’s ships, in addition to those of the national and international shipping communities.

Throughout the years, its constant activity has allowed it to maintain the operability of the Navy’s units and has earned the recognition of national and foreign shipowners, who have entrusted the solution of their needs to the Corporation’s Shipyards.

Construction of dry dock N°1 around 1890

Inauguration of Dry dock N° 1 (February 20, 1896)

Inauguration of dry dock N°2 (July 15, 1924)