DCIL Signs Rs 176 Billion MoUs With 16 Ports And Partners

07 Nov 2025 CW Team

The agreements were formalised with leading ports including Visakhapatnam Port, Paradip Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Cochin Port, Chennai Port, and Mumbai Port to meet dredging requirements over the next two to five years.

Under its modernisation drive aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, DCIL also signed a pact with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the construction and repair of dredgers, ensuring domestic capability enhancement. Another agreement with NMDC Abu Dhabi establishes a joint venture (JV) to collaborate with international partners and strengthen operational efficiency and global competitiveness.

DCIL further entered into an MoU with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for indigenisation of dredger components and construction of inland dredgers, and with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras for a JV focused on Bathymetry Surveys across Indian ports and the development of dredging training modules.

Speaking at the signing event, M. Angamuthu, Chairman of DCIL, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for their support. He referred to the Prime Minister’s announcement during India Maritime Week 2025, where a Rs 40 billion (Rs 4,000 crore) investment for DCIL’s modernisation was unveiled under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision. This includes the construction of 11 advanced dredgers, technological upgrades, automation, and workforce development initiatives.

“These MoUs will enable DCIL to meet the dredging needs that form the lifeline of ports, upgrade its fleet, localise dredger components, and expand capacity through new vessel construction,” said Angamuthu.

Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director and CEO (A/C) of DCIL, highlighted that the corporation is India’s leading dredging company and the agreements would further consolidate its leadership position. DCIL currently operates a fleet of 10 trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined capacity of around 60,000 cubic metres, handling approximately 50–60 million cubic metres of dredging annually, equivalent to 55 per cent of India’s total requirement.

With the addition of new vessels, DCIL aims to expand its footprint in the global dredging market, aligning with the Government’s broader Maritime India Vision 2030. The initiative also supports India’s long-term goals for sustainable growth in the maritime and blue economy sectors.

In a major development, Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has signed 22 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 176.45 billion (Rs 17,645 crore) with 16 ports and organisations to strengthen India’s dredging capabilities and support long-term port infrastructure growth. The agreements were formalised with leading ports including Visakhapatnam Port, Paradip Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Cochin Port, Chennai Port, and Mumbai Port to meet dredging requirements over the next two to five years. Under its modernisation drive aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, DCIL also signed a pact with Cochin Shipyard Limited for the construction and repair of dredgers, ensuring domestic capability enhancement. Another agreement with NMDC Abu Dhabi establishes a joint venture (JV) to collaborate with international partners and strengthen operational efficiency and global competitiveness. DCIL further entered into an MoU with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for indigenisation of dredger components and construction of inland dredgers, and with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras for a JV focused on Bathymetry Surveys across Indian ports and the development of dredging training modules. Speaking at the signing event, M. Angamuthu, Chairman of DCIL, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for their support. He referred to the Prime Minister’s announcement during India Maritime Week 2025, where a Rs 40 billion (Rs 4,000 crore) investment for DCIL’s modernisation was unveiled under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision. This includes the construction of 11 advanced dredgers, technological upgrades, automation, and workforce development initiatives. “These MoUs will enable DCIL to meet the dredging needs that form the lifeline of ports, upgrade its fleet, localise dredger components, and expand capacity through new vessel construction,” said Angamuthu. Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director and CEO (A/C) of DCIL, highlighted that the corporation is India’s leading dredging company and the agreements would further consolidate its leadership position. DCIL currently operates a fleet of 10 trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined capacity of around 60,000 cubic metres, handling approximately 50–60 million cubic metres of dredging annually, equivalent to 55 per cent of India’s total requirement. With the addition of new vessels, DCIL aims to expand its footprint in the global dredging market, aligning with the Government’s broader Maritime India Vision 2030. The initiative also supports India’s long-term goals for sustainable growth in the maritime and blue economy sectors.

Real Estate

07 Aug 2026

BXB Estates Sets AED 110 Million Jumeirah Golf Estates Record

BXB Estates has completed an AED 110 million residential transaction at Jumeirah Golf Estates, setting a new sales record for the prestigious Dubai residential community.Negotiated by Alfie Tabrez, Managing Partner of BXB Estates, the deal surpassed the previous record of AED 58 million for a completed ready villa in the development.The six-bedroom residence offers 21,714 sq ft of built-up space on a 15,873-sq-ft plot. It features nine bathrooms, four living lounges, a home office, bar lounge, private cinema and rooftop terrace.The property also includes a dedicated wellness area comprising a ..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Aug 2026

SECR Floats Rs 6,019 Mn EPC Tender For Paradol Nagpur Link

South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to build a new broad gauge single line between Paradol Takeoff Point and Nagpur Road Station in Chhattisgarh. The contract carries an estimated cost of Rs 6,019.0 mn and requires an earnest money deposit of Rs 120.4 mn. The work is framed as an EPC assignment intended to strengthen regional rail infrastructure. The tender, issued under number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-15, specifies a completion period of 730 days and a bid validity of 180 days. Two pre-bid meetings are scheduled for 24 Augu..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Aug 2026

Indian Railways Reports Nine Per Cent Rise In July Freight Loading

Indian Railways handled 141.3 million tonnes (141.3 mn t) of freight in July, marking a rise of nine per cent year on year. Freight loading maintained a positive trajectory across the network compared with the same month last year. Passenger traffic also increased in July, contributing to higher overall network utilisation. The July outcome continued a pattern of steady monthly gains, reflecting gradual improvement in industrial and logistics activity. The growth in freight volumes reflected stronger demand across multiple sectors and improvements in logistics and train turnarounds. Enhanced r..