Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a significant ₹4,000 crore investment for the modernization of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) during the inauguration of India Maritime Week 2025. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for DCIL, which operates under a consortium of four major ports: Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Deendayal Port Authorities.

Modernization Roadmap

The comprehensive modernization plan focuses on several key areas:

1. Fleet Expansion: Procurement of 11 new dredgers, including Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs), Cutter Suction Dredger, water injection dredger, and beaver dredgers.
2. Make in India Initiative: Construction of new dredgers in Indian shipyards, promoting domestic manufacturing.
3. Technological Advancements: Adoption of digital and green dredging technologies for sustainable operations.
4. Skill Development: Upskilling of technical manpower to meet global standards.

Current Capacity and Future Goals

DCIL's existing fleet consists of 10 TSHDs with a combined hopper capacity of approximately 60,000 cubic meters. This allows the company to handle about 50-60 million cubic meters of dredging annually, accounting for nearly 55% of India's total dredging requirement.

Investment Breakdown

The ₹4,000 crore investment will be allocated as follows:

Progress and Timeline

DCIL has already made strides in its modernization efforts:

• An order for one 12,000 CuM TSHD, named DCI DREDGE GODAVARI, was placed in March 2022.
• The vessel was launched on October 18, 2025, with delivery expected in July 2026.
• Plans are in place to order another 12,000 CuM TSHD in the coming months.

Strategic Importance

Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman of DCIL and Chairperson of Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Mumbai Port, emphasized the transformative nature of this initiative. He stated that it would position DCIL as a technologically advanced, globally competitive enterprise.

Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director & CEO (A/C) of DCIL, highlighted that this investment would enable DCIL to reaffirm its position as India's leading dredging company and expand its global footprint.

Alignment with National Goals

This modernization initiative is a crucial component of the government's Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047 goals. It aims to strengthen India's maritime capabilities and promote self-reliance in the blue economy sector.

The announcement, made in the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, underscores the government's commitment to enhancing India's maritime infrastructure and capabilities.

As DCIL embarks on this transformative journey, the maritime sector eagerly anticipates the positive impact on India's dredging capacity, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness in the years to come.

Dredging Corporation of India Limited , a prominent player in the dredging industry, has announced a significant change in its leadership. The company recently informed stock exchanges, including NSE, BSE, and Calcutta Stock Exchange, about the departure of T.K. Ramachandran from his roles as Additional Director and Chairman.

Key Details of the Leadership Change

Impact on Visakhapatnam Port Authority

The departure of T.K. Ramachandran from Dredging Corporation of India is linked to changes at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority. Dr. Madhaiyaan Angamuthu has taken over as the Chairperson of Visakhapatnam Port Authority on the same date, May 9, 2023.

Implications for Dredging Corporation of India

This leadership transition marks a significant moment for Dredging Corporation of India. As the company moves forward, stakeholders will be keen to observe how this change might influence the company's strategic direction and operations in the dredging sector.

The company's prompt disclosure of this information to the stock exchanges demonstrates its commitment to transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Investors and market watchers will likely be monitoring for any further announcements regarding the appointment of a new Chairman or any subsequent changes in the company's board structure.

As the dredging industry plays a crucial role in maintaining and developing port infrastructure, any changes in leadership at key companies like Dredging Corporation of India can have potential implications for the sector as a whole. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this transition unfolds and what it might mean for the company's future projects and partnerships.