Dredging Corporation of India is aiming to more than double its revenue to Rs 3,000 crore over the next five years, as stated by the company’s MD & CEO Capt S Divakar. The company is exploring new markets and areas to achieve this ambitious target.
Based in Visakhapatnam, Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL) is recognized as the country’s leading dredging company, boasting nearly five decades of experience in dredging operations, maritime infrastructure, and inland waterways.
“We are one of the oldest dredging companies in the country. Growing consistently, DCIL reached a revenue of Rs 1,148 crore in 2024-25, which is approximately double the Rs 550 crore recorded in 2015. We aim to double it again, targeting a topline of Rs 3,000 crore in the next 5-6 years,” the official stated in a video interview with PTI ahead of the company’s Golden Jubilee event set for March 29.
To achieve this goal, Divakar mentioned that DCIL is looking to engage in new maintenance dredging tenders, reclamation projects, and is preparing to enter markets with strategic partners. The company is also planning to diversify into new business areas such as dams and reservoirs.
Regarding the golden jubilee celebration, he noted that Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will be the chief guest, alongside Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar, and Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairman Madhaiyaan Angamuthu.
Divakar highlighted that the growth of the company will be supported by the expanding scope of dredging activities in the country, as the maritime sector is a key focus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who aims to position India as a global hub for the shipping industry.
Initiatives such as the Sagarmala programme and Coastal Economic Zones are creating opportunities for coastal shipping, port-driven industrialization, the development of transshipment hubs, and the integration of inland waterways.
Furthermore, Divakar indicated that the company is pursuing new dredging opportunities at several major port projects across the country, including the Rs 15,000 crore outer harbour at VoC Port in Tuticorin, Cochin Port Authority outer harbour works, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority in Palta (West Bengal), and Paradip Port Authority (Odisha), among others.
DCIL is also looking to increase its dredging activities with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Various states are initiating de-siltation projects for rivers, dams, and reservoirs in Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura.
Countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are enhancing their inland waterways infrastructure and developing coastal regions for cargo movement and trade, and DCIL plans to actively explore these opportunities.
Recently, the Prime Minister announced a modernization plan for DCIL involving Rs 4,000 crore in capital expenditure to enhance its capacity. The company is currently in the process of acquiring 11 dredgers.
DCI has already placed an order for its first 12,000 Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) beagle series dredger at CSL, with an expected delivery by June 2026.
Currently, DCI has a total hopper capacity of 54,500 cubic meters (CuM). “We are also increasing our dredging capacity by adding another 39,000 CuM in a phased approach,” he added.
Looking forward, DCIL is committed to modernizing its dredging fleet, adopting advanced technologies, and expanding its dredging capabilities to meet the growing demands of the maritime sector.
