India: Ministry Unveils Big Dredging Plans

According to The Economic Times, the shipping ministry wants to step up dredging at major ports in the 12th five-year plan.

Also, he hopes to get a budgetary support of over Rs 4,000 crore, an increase of about 40% over the previous five-year plan.

The planned increase is expected to expand business opportunities for state-run Dredging Corporation of India as well as private firms.

“Although the contracts would be provided on a tender basis but it is likely to be given to Dredging Corporation of India itself,” a senior government official said.

“Adani Group is equipped to launch dredging services for other ports as we have already invested close to $150 million in the machineries. However, we are not clear about the centre’s provisions for dredging activities. More allocations to dredging activities will improve ports and shipping services in the country,” said an Adani Group official involved in ports and shipping activities.

“Indian port operators are dependent on their own equipments or hiring international firms for dredging. However, services from foreign players come at very high costs. With increasing privatisation in port sector, India need to be equipped with technical know how for capital and maintenance dredging. The nation should develop indigenous expertise for dredging activities at an affordable costs,” said Mumbai based i-maritime Consultancy CEO Ramesh Singhal.

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Dredging Today Staff, May 4, 2012; Image: dredge-india