"Cochin Shipyard to Deliver New Dredger for DCI by September 2025: Minister Sonowal"

Cochin Shipyard is set to deliver a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) with a 12,000 cubic meter capacity to Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) by September 2025, according to Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. This dredger, the first of its kind from the Beagle Series 12 under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme, marks a significant milestone in the initiative to incorporate advanced global technology into Indian maritime operations.

The ₹800 crore dredger will play a crucial role in maintaining port channels and represents a shift from previously imported dredgers. The new vessel will be built on the globally recognized Beagle Platform from IHC Holland, tailored to meet specific Indian requirements. Cochin Shipyard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IHC Holland B.V. for technology and design collaboration on these high-capacity, complex dredgers.

In response to a question from MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy about DCI's competitive edge, Minister Sonowal detailed that DCI operates a fleet comprising 10 Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers with a total hopper capacity of 59,513 cubic meters, along with two Cutter Suction Dredgers, one Backhoe Dredger, and other ancillary vessels. DCI holds a significant share in India's maintenance dredging market and is actively involved in bidding for dredging contracts.

Currently, DCI is administered by four major ports: Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, holding shareholdings of 19.47%, 18%, 18%, and 18%, respectively.

HBL