HISTORIC SIGNING OF MOU BETWEEN DREDGING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD AND COLOMBO DOCKYARD PLC| Colombo Dockyard PLC

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) and Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI) today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide comprehensive drydocking, repair, and upgradation facilities for DCI's fleet of dredgers. This historic agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka and reinforces the long‑standing operational ties between the two organizations.

The MoU was formally signed by Capt. S. Divakar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dredging Corporation of India Ltd, and Mr. Thimira S. Godakumbura, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Colombo Dockyard PLC. The agreement establishes a structured framework under which Colombo Dockyard PLC will support planned and emergent repair, maintenance, and enhancement requirements of DCI's dredging fleet.

Following its recent acquisition, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai, India, now holds a 51 per cent equity stake of Colombo Dockyard PLC as the majority shareholder. This ownership structure further strengthens the institutional and strategic links in the maritime industries of India and Sri Lanka. This MoU between DCI Ltd & CDPLC was facilitated as part of the strategic understanding between CDPLC and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. to enhance business volumes from Indian‑owned maritime operations.

The significance of this landmark event was further elevated by the presence and blessings of His Excellency Mr. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with members of his delegation, underscoring the importance of this agreement, in the context of bilateral maritime and economic cooperation.

Through this strategic collaboration, Colombo Dockyard PLC is positioned as a preferred repair and maintenance partner for DCI's vessels operating across the Indian Ocean region. The partnership is expected to enhance fleet availability, improve turnaround efficiency, and ensure the uninterrupted conduct of critical dredging operations, while upholding the highest standards of technical excellence, reliability, and safety.

Group photo with High Commissioner of India

Photo Caption: Left to Right: Ms. Devika Lal - Counsellor (E&C) Indian High Commission of India, Capt. S Divakar - MD&CEO - Dredging Corporation of India Ltd., Mr. Thimira S Godakumbura - MD/CEO - Colombo Dockyard PLC, His Excellency Mr. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Capt. Jagmohan - Director, Mr. Biju George - Director.

Established in 1976, Dredging Corporation of India Ltd is a pioneer in dredging and maritime infrastructure development in India. The corporation celebrated its Golden Jubilee in March 2026 and continues to play a vital role in maintaining navigable depths along India's extensive 7,500‑kilometre coastline. DCI provides dredging services to major and minor ports, the Indian Navy, fishing harbours, and other maritime organizations, encompassing capital dredging for new harbour developments, deepening of existing ports, and routine maintenance dredging to ensure safe and efficient shipping channels. Supported by a modern and sophisticated fleet of dredgers, DCI contributes significantly to both national infrastructure development and international maritime projects.

Founded in 1974, Colombo Dockyard PLC is the leading shipbuilding, ship repair, and heavy engineering facility in the Indian Ocean region. The dockyard is equipped with drydock capacities of up to 125,000 DWT, together with fully integrated afloat repair facilities. CDPLC has proven expertise in the drydock repair and refurbishment of dredgers, tankers, and other floating assets, as well as in the construction of specialised vessels, including cable repair and cable‑laying ships and Hybrid Eco Bulk Carriers for the European market. Its reputation is built on decades of project management excellence and consistently high standards of workmanship.

Colombo Dockyard PLC has successfully served the fleet of Dredging Corporation of India Ltd for more than three decades, reflecting a relationship founded on trust, performance reliability, and technical competence.

The signing of this MoU further deepens the enduring partnership between CDPLC and DCI and enables Colombo Dockyard PLC to service an increased number of dredgers from DCI's expanding fleet. The agreement enhances operational readiness and asset reliability while reinforcing shared objectives of long‑term cooperation, capacity building, and continuous improvement in maritime engineering standards.

Beyond its immediate operational significance, this landmark agreement underscores the growing depth of bilateral maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka. It reflects a shared vision for sustainable growth, regional maritime resilience, and excellence in ship repair and marine infrastructure support across the Indian Ocean.

"...An Odyssey of Excellence Continues."

(L-R) Capt. S Divakar - MD&CEO - Dredging Corporation of India Ltd., Mr. Thimira S Godakumbura - MD/CEO - Colombo Dockyard PLC