PM announces ₹4,000-crore modernisation initiative of DCIL, Majority stake in company held by four major ports:

A landmark announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra on modernisation of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL), company with headquarters in Visakhapatnam to modernise the company with a total investment of .₹4,000 crore

Majority stake in the company is held by a consortium of four major ports comprising Visakhapatnam, Deen Dayal (Kandla), Paradip and Jawahar Lal Nehru port authorities.

During his address at the India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, the Prime Minister unveiled transformative initiatives under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision. Among these, a major highlight was the ₹4,000-crore investment dedicated to the modernisation of

Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL).

DCIL is functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). The modernisation initiative aims to significantly enhance DCIL’s dredging capacity, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness through the acquisition of

advanced dredgers, technological upgradation, and sustainable practices.

The ₹4,000-crore investment will focus on: Fleet modernisation and capacity enhancement to strengthen India’s dredging infrastructure; Construction of new dredgers in Indian shipyards, promoting the ‘Make in India’ initiative; In this direction approval of ministry was already given for procurement three new Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) out of which DCIL has already placed the order for one 12000 CuM TSHD – DCI Dredge Godavari in March, 2022. The vessel was launched on October 18 last. The vessel is expected to be delivered in July, 2026.

It is planned to place the order for another 12000 CuM TSHD in next few months and order for another dredger would follow subsequently. Further, DCI Lalso plans to procure one cutter suction dredger, a water injection dredger, another TSHD of lower capacity to do shallow draft dredging and also six beavers dredgers of different capacities for dredging in inland waterways/ canals etc.

Adoption of digital, automation, and green dredging technologies for sustainable operations; and Skill development and upskilling of technical manpower to align with global standards.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman, DCIL and VPA expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for their visionary support.

He stated, “Under the Prime Minister’s dynamic leadership, this modernisation initiative will transform India’s dredging landscape, positioning DCIL as a technologically advanced, globally competitive enterprise.”

Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director & CEO, DCIL,( A/C) added that the modernisation roadmap will empower DCIL to execute complex dredging and reclamation projects with world-class precision. He stated that DCI’s current dredging capacity is based on a fleet primarily consisting of 10 TSHDs with a combined hopper capacity of approximately 60,000 cubic meters. This fleet enables handling of roughly 50-60 million cubic meters of dredging annually, accounting for nearly 55% of India’s total dredging requirement of around 110- 120 million cubic meters per year..

The announcement on modernisation was made in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, along with senior officials from from MoPSW, major ports, shipyards, and global maritime organisations.