Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) will launch India’s first high-capacity ‘Make in India’ dredger built with Dutch technology support for Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI) on October 18, marking a major milestone for the state-run shipyard and the government’s push to revitalise the domestic shipbuilding industry.
The launch comes on the back of the ₹69,725 crore shipbuilding package approved by the Union Cabinet in September.
Launching a ship is a critical engineering step where the vessel touches water for the first time, allowing checks on stability, buoyancy and marine system performance. It also moves the project forward in the payment cycle for the shipyard. After launch, the vessel will undergo outfitting and trials and is expected to be delivered to DCI in about six months, officials said.
Largest and Most Advanced Dredger Built in India
The vessel, named ‘DCI Dredge Godavari’, is a 12,000 cubic metre Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) costing over ₹800 crore. It is the largest, most sophisticated and technologically advanced dredger ever constructed in India.
-
Keel laid: September 2024
-
Built at: CSL’s new dry dock in Kochi
-
Technology & design support: IHC Holland B.V., the world’s largest dredger builder
-
Platform: IHC’s globally acclaimed ‘Beagle’ design, customised for Indian needs
Construction was delayed by a few months due to issues relating to the technical specifications of imported steel, but is now back on track.
Strategic Collaboration with Dutch Expertise
This dredger is the first to be built by CSL under its November 2020 MoU with IHC Holland to collaborate on design and technology for high-capacity, complex dredgers.
Europe—particularly the Netherlands—dominates global dredger technology, with major contractors such as Van Oord and Boskalis, making technical know-how a closely held capability. Bringing this expertise to India represents a significant step in technology transfer and capability building.
Supporting National Dredging Capacity
DCI, owned by four major state-run ports (Visakhapatnam, Deendayal, JNPA and Paradip), is expanding its fleet to meet rising demand for dredging across Indian ports.
Dredgers are highly specialised, complex vessels with advanced technical systems and strict performance criteria, creating high entry barriers. CSL’s infrastructure and experience in building large TSHDs and Cutter Suction Dredgers gives it a strategic advantage.
Aligned with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
With the government increasingly mandating local manufacturing, the project supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India goals. CSL has identified dredger construction as a priority growth segment in its Strategy Roadmap 2030.
A government official said collaborative operating models like the CSL–IHC partnership are essential not only for growth but also to develop indigenous technical competence in high-end shipbuilding.
The launch of DCI Dredge Godavari signals a new era for India’s dredger manufacturing capabilities and positions Cochin Shipyard as a global contender in complex vessel construction.
