Mumbai: In a major stride towards enhancing India’s maritime capabilities, Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) signed 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs. 17,645 crore with 16 leading organizations during the India Maritime Week 2025, held from October 27-31 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre.
Operating 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)—and functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), DCIL plays a critical role in India’s dredging and port infrastructure sector.
Strategic Partnerships for Ports and Shipyards
The MoUs were inked with prominent ports including Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Port, Cochin Port, Chennai Port, and Mumbai Port to meet their dredging requirements over the next 2-5 years.
As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, DCIL also partnered with Cochin Shipyard for the construction and repair of dredgers, and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for the indigenization of spares and construction of inland dredgers.
Industry majors such as IHC are engaged to modernize existing dredgers and optimize capacity utilization, while NMDC, Abu Dhabi will form a joint venture to enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
Additionally, DCIL signed MoUs with National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Chennai for bathymetry surveys and dredging training modules, IOCL for uninterrupted fuel supply to DCIL vessels, and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) for dry-docking and dredger repairs.
Modernization and Expansion Under Maritime Amrit Kaai Vision
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, DCIL, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for his visionary support. Highlighting the Rs. 4,000 crore modernization initiative under the Maritime Amrit Kaai Vision, he said the MoUs would help DCIL continue serving as the lifeline for India’s ports, upgrade its fleet, and promote indigenization of dredgers and spares.
Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director & CEO, DCIL, stated that the company is India’s leading dredging operator, with a fleet of 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) capable of handling 50-60 million cubic meters annually, nearly 55% of the country’s total dredging requirement. The new partnerships and fleet expansion will help DCIL execute complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision and further strengthen its market leadership.
Government Support and Strategic Importance
The MoUs were signed in the presence of Mr. Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, along with senior dignitaries from MoPSW, major ports, shipyards, and international maritime organizations.
The initiative aligns with the Government’s long-term vision under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, aiming to reinforce India’s leadership in the maritime and blue economy sectors while fostering self-reliance, technological advancement, and global competitiveness.
About DCIL
Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) is a premier public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, specializing in maintenance and capital dredging. DCIL operates a fleet of Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers and other specialized vessels, handling over half of India’s annual dredging requirements. The corporation plays a vital role in ensuring navigable waterways, port development, and inland waterway infrastructure, contributing to India’s maritime growth and global competitiveness.
