Knowledge Marine Wins ₹303 Crore Dredging Contract at New Mangalore Port

Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works (KMEW) has been awarded a significant dredging contract valued at ₹303.17 crore by the New Mangalore Port Authority. This new order represents the largest dredging project the company has secured to date, reflecting its growing presence in the maritime engineering sector.

The contract covers extensive maintenance dredging operations across several critical areas of the port. These include the outer approach channel, the lagoon, dock zones, the turning circle, specific berth faces, and the pump-house vicinity. Such dredging work is crucial for ensuring the port’s navigability and operational efficiency by removing accumulated sediments and maintaining adequate water depths for vessel traffic.

KMEW emerged as the lowest bidder for this contract, offering a price approximately 10.16 percent lower than competing bids. This competitive pricing coupled with the company’s technical capabilities likely contributed to winning the project. The execution will involve deploying a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD), a specialized vessel designed for efficient sediment removal. Additionally, specialized equipment will be used for precise dredging around berth faces and pump-house areas, which require careful handling due to their operational importance.

New Mangalore Port, located on India’s west coast, is a key gateway for cargo transportation and maritime trade. It handles a diverse range of cargo including petroleum products, coal, and fertilizers. Maintaining the port’s infrastructure, especially the depth of channels and berths, is essential to accommodate larger vessels and ensure smooth logistics operations. Dredging projects like this play a vital role in supporting the port’s capacity and safety standards.

Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works has built a reputation in the marine engineering domain with several dredging and marine construction projects. Winning this substantial contract signals further trust from major port authorities and strengthens the company’s foothold in the infrastructure maintenance market. The dredging sector in India is gaining focus as ports upgrade to support increasing maritime traffic, driven by expanding trade volumes and government initiatives to improve port efficiency.

The contract awarded to KMEW is set to enhance the operational reliability of New Mangalore Port, safeguarding its role as a critical hub in India’s shipping network. With the scheduled maintenance dredging, the port will sustain adequate draft levels needed for current and future vessel calls, minimizing delays and potential navigation hazards.

As ports across the country continue to invest in modernization and maintenance, companies like Knowledge Marine are positioned to play a key role in supporting the maritime infrastructure ecosystem. This project is a notable addition to the company’s portfolio and highlights the ongoing importance of dredging activities in sustaining India’s port infrastructure.