Herma Shipyard, Inc. was conceived in 2000 to meet the Herma fleet's growing demand for efficient, and reliable ship repair and shipbuilding services. Seeing the potential for offering these services to other clients as well, Herminio S. Esguerra, the conglomerate's chairman and chief executive officer, brought to life sister companies Herma Shipyard, Inc. and Herma Port Terminals, Inc. at the height of the Herma Group's growth surge in 2001.

Following that, the Herma Group of Companies successfully negotiated a 25-year lease contract from the Bataan local government to rehabilitate the old government shipyard facilities at the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) in Mariveles, Bataan. After considerable investments to equip the 17-hectare facility with the necessary infrastructure and equipment, the Herma Industrial Complex was born, deepening the Herma Group's commitment to providing maritime and industrial services.