Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works (KMEW) has secured a Rs. 3.03 bn maintenance-dredging contract from the New Mangalore Port Authority, making it the company’s largest dredging order to date. The award was announced in a company statement reported by Moneycontrol.

KMEW emerged as the lowest bidder, with its offer approximately 10.16 per cent below the bid submitted by competitors. The contract covers maintenance dredging across the port’s outer approach channel, lagoon, dock areas, turning circle, designated berth faces and pump-house areas.

The project is intended to preserve the navigable and operational portions of the port rather than create a new facility. It will require the deployment of a suitable Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD), along with specialised equipment for work near berth faces and pump-house areas.

Maintenance dredging removes accumulated sediment to retain the depth and usable navigational space needed by vessels. The listed locations cover both access routes and operational areas, including the approach channel used by vessels entering the port, the turning circle needed for manoeuvring, and dock and berth areas associated with vessel handling.

KMEW’s statement did not disclose a completion date, the capacity of the selected dredger, a phase-wise execution schedule or the identities of competing bidders. It also did not specify when mobilisation would begin or whether temporary operating arrangements would be required during the work.

The award followed a competitive bidding process in which KMEW’s offer was identified as the lowest. For New Mangalore Port, the immediate focus will be maintaining approach, berthing, turning and support areas through marine dredging equipment and specialised machinery. Further details on the execution timetable, equipment deployment and operational coordination are expected to be provided by the port authority and contractor as the project advances.