Delivery of India’s largest dredger delayed to late-2025: DCI chairperson
The keel-laying of India’s largest dredger, ‘DCI Dredge Godavari’, at the Cochin Shipyard.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
The construction of India’s largest dredger, DCI Dredge Godavari has been delayed and will be handed over only by late-2025, said Madhaiyaan Angamuthu, chairperson of Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI) on Thursday.
The keel for the vessel being built at Cochin Shipyard in collaboration with Royal IHC Netherlands was laid in September 2024. “This 12,000 cubic meter Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger built with Royal IHC Netherlands on the Beagle platform would be the most advanced dredger in the country upon commissioning. Though delivery has been delayed to late 2025, its strategic value remains,” Angamuthu while addressing an Annual General Meeting of DCI.
This dredger which will be used to remove silt from ports and navigational channels is expected to strengthen and add to DCI’‘s capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign contractors. DCI’s operations includes seven of India’s 12 major ports, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee port in Kolkata to Deendayal Port at Kandla, Gujarat.
Speaking about the challenges confronting the organisation, the chairperson said, “We are aware of key risks, including ageing assets and increasing competition. Many of our dredgers are over 25 years old and require replacement. Legacy receivables such as those from Sethusamudram (₹65.83 crore), Mormugao port (₹48.65 crore) and Cochin Port Link Road (₹16.94 crore) continue to weigh on working capital and sequent finance cost,” Angamuthu added.
Pointing out that the $20 billion global dredging market growing at 2.2 per cent CAGR presents a lot of opportunities, the chairman said DCI was assessing the markets in Middle-East, South-East Asia and South-Asia. “As FY 2025-26 begins, DCI’s direction is closely aligned with India’s maritime development. With 272 Sagarmala projects completed (₹1.41 lakh investment) and new mega ports like Vadhvan and Galathea Bay planned, the demand for dredging is set to grow,” he added.
DCI has also partnered with BEML Ltd for indigenous dredger and spare parts manufacturing which will support self reliance and job creation.
Published on September 25, 2025
