Ecuador Commissions Its Largest Naval Vessel: BAE Jambeli

On May 7, 2026, the Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador) formally commissioned BAE Jambelí (MP-56) during a ceremony at Puerto Bolívar, marking the introduction of one of the country’s most capable offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and the largest ship currently in the fleet. Previously operated by the Korean Coast Guard as KCG-3001, the lead vessel of the Tae Pyung Yang-class, the ship departed the Republic of Korea on January 2 for a 62-day transoceanic voyage to Ecuador which ended in May 5 when it arrived in Ecuadorian waters. My story for Naval News, here.