The delivery of India’s largest dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari, under construction at Cochin Shipyard Ltd in collaboration with Royal IHC Netherlands, has been delayed and is now expected only by late-2025, according to Madhaiyaan Angamuthu, Chairperson of Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI).
The 12,000 cubic metre Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger, designed on Royal IHC’s Beagle platform, is touted to be the most advanced dredger in the country upon commissioning. The keel of the vessel was laid in September 2024. “Though delivery has been delayed, its strategic value remains intact. It will significantly boost India’s dredging capacity and reduce dependence on foreign contractors,” Angamuthu said while addressing DCI’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday.
The dredger, meant for removing silt from ports and navigational channels, is expected to augment DCI’s fleet which currently serves seven of India’s 12 major ports, from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata to Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat.
Highlighting operational challenges, Angamuthu noted that a large part of DCI’s fleet is ageing, with several dredgers over 25 years old. He also flagged financial stress due to legacy receivables, including dues from Sethusamudram (₹65.83 crore), Mormugao Port (₹48.65 crore), and Cochin Port Link Road (₹16.94 crore).
Despite these hurdles, DCI sees opportunities in the $20 billion global dredging market, which is growing at a CAGR of 2.2%. The company is exploring prospects in the Middle East, South-East Asia, and South Asia.
“With 272 Sagarmala projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore already completed and new mega ports such as Vadhvan and Galathea Bay on the horizon, the demand for dredging in India is poised to grow,” Angamuthu said.
In line with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ push, DCI has also partnered with BEML Ltd to develop indigenous dredgers and spare parts, a move expected to strengthen self-reliance and support job creation.