DCIL targets ₹3,000 crore turnover, plans offshore expansion

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the state-run Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) said the company is targeting a turnover of ₹3,000 crore over the next five to ten years.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday to mark the company’s golden jubilee, Divakar noted that DCIL has witnessed consistent growth since its inception in 1976, with revenues increasing from about ₹150–₹200 crore to ₹1,146 crore. He added that the company’s current order book is valued at շուրջ ₹1,400 crore.

He said DCIL plays a critical role in maintaining navigational depths for the Indian Navy, fishing harbours and major ports along India’s 7,500-km coastline, and currently handles nearly 80 per cent of the country’s maintenance dredging requirements — about 110 million cubic metres annually out of a total 150 million cubic metres.

Over the years, the company has strengthened its technical capabilities, increasing hopper capacity from 3,500 cubic metres to 12,000 cubic metres, while improving dredging depth capacity from 15 metres to 25 metres.

DCIL is also looking to diversify into emerging areas such as submarine cable trenching, offshore wind energy support, and inland waterways development, amid growing investments in subsea infrastructure. “We are building specialised capabilities for offshore operations,” Divakar said.

Despite competition from global players, DCIL continues to retain a strategic edge due to its experience, infrastructure, and alignment with national priorities, he added. The company has also expanded its international presence, undertaking projects in countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Divakar said DCIL stands to benefit from the Centre’s Sagarmala Programme, which includes 384 projects worth ₹1.4 lakh crore. In line with Maritime India Vision 2030, the company plans to induct 11 new vessels, including high-capacity hopper dredgers and specialised shallow-water units.

He added that DCIL is planning to raise ₹1,000 crore through a rights issue to modernise ageing assets, improve productivity, and address workforce gaps, while supporting domestic shipbuilding under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.