DCIL Signs MoUs Worth Rs 176.45 Billion to Boost Maritime Modernisation

05 Nov 2025 CW Team

DCIL operates under a consortium of four major ports — Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) — under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).

The MoUs include collaborations with leading ports such as Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Cochin, Chennai, and Mumbai Ports for dredging operations over the next two to five years. Partnerships with Cochin Shipyard focus on dredger construction and repairs under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, while agreements with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) aim at indigenisation of dredger components and construction of inland dredgers.

Further collaborations include IHC, for dredger modernisation to enhance capacity utilisation; NMDC, Abu Dhabi, for forming a joint venture to strengthen operational efficiency and global competitiveness; and the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Chennai, for conducting bathymetry surveys and developing training modules for dredging. DCIL also signed MoUs with IOCL for uninterrupted fuel and lubricant supply and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for dredger repairs and dry-docking.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr M Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, DCIL and Chairperson, Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Mumbai Port, thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Ministry for their support. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Rs 40 billion modernisation investment under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, which includes constructing 11 new dredgers, upgrading existing assets, and developing skilled manpower.

Captain S Divakar, Managing Director and CEO (A/C), DCIL, said, “The execution of these MoUs with major ports and industry leaders reaffirms our position as India’s leading dredging company. The modernisation roadmap will enable DCIL to undertake complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision.”

Currently, DCIL operates a fleet of 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined hopper capacity of 60,000 cubic metres, handling about 50–60 million cubic metres of dredging annually — nearly 55 per cent of India’s total dredging requirement. The addition of new dredgers will enhance capacity and reinforce DCIL’s market leadership.

The initiative aligns with the government’s long-term goals under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening its maritime and blue economy sectors.

The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has signed 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 16 organisations, collectively worth Rs 176.45 billion, during the India Maritime Week 2025 held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, from 27–31 October.DCIL operates under a consortium of four major ports — Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) — under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).The MoUs include collaborations with leading ports such as Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Cochin, Chennai, and Mumbai Ports for dredging operations over the next two to five years. Partnerships with Cochin Shipyard focus on dredger construction and repairs under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, while agreements with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) aim at indigenisation of dredger components and construction of inland dredgers.Further collaborations include IHC, for dredger modernisation to enhance capacity utilisation; NMDC, Abu Dhabi, for forming a joint venture to strengthen operational efficiency and global competitiveness; and the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Chennai, for conducting bathymetry surveys and developing training modules for dredging. DCIL also signed MoUs with IOCL for uninterrupted fuel and lubricant supply and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for dredger repairs and dry-docking.Speaking on the occasion, Dr M Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, DCIL and Chairperson, Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Mumbai Port, thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Ministry for their support. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Rs 40 billion modernisation investment under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, which includes constructing 11 new dredgers, upgrading existing assets, and developing skilled manpower.Captain S Divakar, Managing Director and CEO (A/C), DCIL, said, “The execution of these MoUs with major ports and industry leaders reaffirms our position as India’s leading dredging company. The modernisation roadmap will enable DCIL to undertake complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision.”Currently, DCIL operates a fleet of 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined hopper capacity of 60,000 cubic metres, handling about 50–60 million cubic metres of dredging annually — nearly 55 per cent of India’s total dredging requirement. The addition of new dredgers will enhance capacity and reinforce DCIL’s market leadership.The initiative aligns with the government’s long-term goals under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening its maritime and blue economy sectors.

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