DCI, Colombo Dockyard enter into strategic partnership
Collaboration aimed at timely solutions in vessel maintenance, repair, retrofitting
DCI MD and Managing Director Capt S. Divakar and others after signing MoU with Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka on Tuesday
Visakhapatnam: As part of its decision to enhance its overseas presence during its golden jubilee year, Dredging Corporation of India Limited, popular as DCI has achieved a milestone by entering into an MoU with Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC).
The strategic partnership brings together DCI’s extensive dredging fleet and operational expertise with CDPLC’s world-class ship repair and shipbuilding infrastructure. The collaboration is aimed at delivering high-quality, cost-effective, and timely solutions in vessel maintenance, repair, retrofitting, and new shipbuilding initiatives. Colombo Dockyard PLC is one of South Asia’s leading shipbuilding and repair facilities, renowned for its advanced infrastructure, technical expertise, and adherence to global quality standards.
Both India and Sri Lanka are members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). During the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave hosted here by Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) in July, 2025, discussions were held on strengthening the maritime relationship.
The partnership underscored the deepening maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka and is expected to contribute significantly to building a resilient and sustainable maritime ecosystem in the region.
DCI has improved its international presence with projects in:Saudi Arabia (Yanbu project), Bahrain (150-acre reclamation;10 million cubic metres dredging), Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. These achievements underline DCI’s emergence as a globally competitive Indian dredging. The company set up in 1976 has its head office in Visakhapatnam.
Capt S Divakar, Managing Director & CEO of DCI, stated :“The agreement reflects our commitment to operational excellence, fleet modernisation, and expanding regional partnerships. By collaborating with Colombo Dockyard, we aim to enhance the lifecycle efficiency of our fleet while exploring new opportunities in shipbuilding and offshore support vessels.”
Managing Director & CEO, CDPLC Thimira S Godakumbura, said: “We are proud to partner with DCI, a leader in dredging operations. This collaboration reinforces our position as a preferred maritime service provider in South Asia and opens new avenues for technological exchange and sustainable growth.”
Key highlights of the MoU include comprehensive ship repair and dry-docking services for DCL’s fleet, joint exploration of shipbuilding projects, including specialized dredgers and offshore support vessels, technical collaboration and knowledge sharing and strengthening regional maritime infrastructure and service capabilities.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced by dignitaries including Santhosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka; Capt. Jagmohan, Chairman & Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited; Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding) and Devika Lal, Counsellor (Economic & Commercial), High Commission of India.
DCI is a premier organisation specialising in dredging services, catering to major ports, the Indian Navy, and international clients. The company is presently under the consortium of four major ports of India—Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and Deendayal Port Authority—further strengthening its strategic role in the country’s maritime sector.
