Dredging Corporation to step up focus on Aatmanirbhar, global markets

Indigenously built ₹1,000 crore DCI Dredger Godavari

Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL) will step up focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and global markets. It will be making two new dredgers and also look to global opportunities, according to its Chairman M Angamuthu

By launching indigenously-built DCI Dredger Godavari at the Cochin Shipyard on Saturday, DCIL strengthened the entire dredging ecosystem in the country, he said, adding that “we will also add two more dredgers in the coming years.’

The launch of ₹1,000-crore Dredge Godavari, a 12,000 cubic metre Beagle Series Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger, and the first dredger in this class to be built in India, was a historic ‘milestone’ in the journey of DCIL and a major step forward for India’s maritime sector, DCIL Chairman said. 

According to him, it marked the beginning of a new era of indigenous shipbuilding, advanced dredging capability and self-reliant maritime infrastructure development.

“This remarkable vessel, designed with state-of-the-art technology and world-class features, is being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd in collaboration with Royal IHC, DICL’s Knowledge Partner.

The partnership between DCIL, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, and Royal IHC is an example of how Indian expertise and international technical collaboration can come together seamlessly to deliver excellence. 

Royal IH’s global experience in dredger design and technology, combined with the execution capabilities of Cochin Shipyard and the operational insight of DCIL, has resulted in a world-class asset that truly represents the spirit of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ he said. 

Enhancing DCIL’s operational capabilities

Godavari Dredger will substantially enhance DCIL’s operational capabilities. “It will enable us to undertake large-scale capital and maintenance dredging assignments, improve operational efficiency, and extend our services to global markets,’‘ he said 

The vessel’s design emphasises fuel efficiency. environmental sustainability, and advanced automation — ensuring reliable and efficient operations in line with international standards, Angamuthu said.

As for market share, DCI has a major presence in India’s maintenance dredging sector against the present demand of 120 MCuM. DCI current fleet includes 10 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) with a cumulative hopper capacity of 59,513 cubic metres. If DCIL augments its capacity by ordering two more 12,000 TSHDs excluding newly-launched Godavari, then its capacity will be able to cater 100 percent of the Indian Dredging Market with its own fleet without chartering foreign dredgers, Angamuthu said. 

Published on October 19, 2025