DCI signs ₹17,645 crore MoUs with 16 ports to advance port modernisation

Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has signed 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹17,645 crore with 16 major ports and organisations. The agreements, inked during India Maritime Week 2025, aim to meet the dredging needs of Indian ports and accelerate their modernisation over the next two to five years.

The MoUs cover partnerships with leading ports, including Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Cochin, Chennai, and Mumbai ports. DCIL operates under a consortium of its promoter ports—Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and Deendayal Port Authority—functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

To enhance operational capabilities and promote self-reliance, DCIL also announced several strategic collaborations. An MoU with Cochin Shipyard Limited focuses on the construction and repair of dredgers under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, while another with NMDC Abu Dhabi seeks to establish a joint venture to strengthen global competitiveness.

Furthering the indigenisation drive, DCIL signed an agreement with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) for the manufacture of inland dredgers and localisation of critical components. A tie-up with IHC will focus on fleet modernisation and optimisation, while a collaboration with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras will support advanced bathymetry surveys and the creation of a dredging training module to build a skilled workforce. An MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) will ensure a steady supply of fuel and lubricants to DCIL’s fleet.

DCIL Managing Director and CEO Capt. S. Divakar highlighted that the corporation currently operates 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) with a combined hopper capacity of about 60,000 cubic metres, enabling it to undertake 50–60 million cubic metres of dredging annually — nearly 55% of India’s total requirement. The addition of new vessels, he said, will further consolidate DCIL’s market leadership and capacity.

DCIL Chairman M. Angamuthu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for their continued support. He noted that the Prime Minister’s announcement of a ₹4,000 crore investment for building 11 new dredgers marks a major step under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.

These MoUs, Angamuthu added, will enable DCIL to meet the evolving dredging demands of Indian ports, upgrade its fleet with modern technology, and accelerate efforts in indigenisation and automation — all aligned with the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to position India as a global leader in the maritime and blue economy sectors.