The launch of ‘DCI Dredge Godavari’ is a significant milestone for India’s domestic shipbuilding industry and the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
India’s First High-Capacity ‘Make in India’ Dredger
The vessel is set to be the first high-capacity dredger developed in India under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, demonstrating a major step towards self-reliance in this specialized field.
The dredger is a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) with a hopper capacity of 12,000 cubic metres, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated dredgers ever built in India. TSHDs are crucial for maintaining and deepening port channels.
The vessel, named ‘DCI Dredge Godavari’, has been constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd for the Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI). It utilizes the internationally recognized ‘Beagle’ platform of Dutch specialist IHC Holland B.V., marking the first dredger built by Cochin Shipyard following a collaboration MoU signed with IHC Holland in November 2020. The design has been customized for Indian operational needs.
Financial and Operational Details
- Cost: The dredger was ordered by DCI at a cost exceeding Rs 800 crore.
- Purpose: It is intended to enhance DCI’s fleet capacity to meet the increasing dredging demands across the country, which is crucial for the efficient operation of major ports.
- Delivery Timeline: The vessel’s delivery is expected in another six months following the launch.
- Keel Laying: The start of construction was marked by the keel-laying ceremony in September 2024, though the project faced minor delays due to technical issues with imported steel.
Significance of the Launch
The launch on October 18 marks a critical engineering phase where the vessel enters the water for the first time. This is essential for testing its stability, buoyancy, and the performance of its technical systems in a marine environment. The project aligns with the broader government promotion of domestic shipbuilding through a major support package under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
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Source: Marine Insight
