Dredging Corporation to induct four more dredgers
Dredging Corporation of IndiaBSE -1.21 % (DCI) would take steps to add four more dredgers to its fleet and post-acquisition the PSU would be able to take up at least 80 per cent of the maintenance dredging works of ports across the country, Shipping Minister G K Vasan said here, PTI reports.
Dedicating to the nation DCI Dredge XIX, a trailer suction hopper dredger, at the Ennore Port here, he said two more such dredgers would be joining the Mini Ratna PSU during the next financial year.
DCI was also taking action for placing orders for two 9000 cum Trailer Suction Hopper Dredgers during the 12th Plan period, Vasan said.
After acquisition of these vessels, the corporation would be in a position to take up at least 80 per cent of the maintenance dredging works of Indian ports, he added.
At present, DCI dredgers were engaged at Kolkata Port, Paradip Port and Cochin Port and recently Kandla Port has also awarded its maintenance dredging works to DCI, he said.
Dredge XIX has a hopper capacity of 5500 cubic metres and it can dredge up to a depth of 25 metres.
Dredge XIX is a first of its kind to have equipped with de-gassing thereby enabling the dredger to dredge organic and gaseous soil.
Orders for the dredger was placed with IHC Merwede, The Netherlands, in 2010 at an estimated cost of Rs 528 crore.
Dredging is an excavation activity usually done with the purpose of collecting sediments under water and disposing them of at a different location.