A joint venture between DEME Group and Jan De Nul has secured a major dredging and reclamation contract for India’s Vadhavan Port, marking a significant milestone in the port’s development.
The contract, awarded by Indian engineering and construction firm ITD Cementation, was signed during the Belgian economic mission to India, which is taking place from 1 to 8 March 2025. This marks another step in India’s ambitious plans to position Vadhavan Port among the world’s top ten container ports by 2040.
The scope of the project includes nearshore reclamation and shore protection for the greenfield port, located in Maharashtra on India’s west coast. Covering approximately 200 hectares, the land reclamation is essential for future breakbulk and liquid cargo handling infrastructure. As a subcontractor to ITD Cementation, the joint venture will play a key role in executing this crucial phase of the project.
Construction Timeline and Equipment Deployment
Construction work is set to begin in the third quarter of 2025, following the region’s monsoon season. To execute the dredging and reclamation, DEME and Jan De Nul will deploy two of their large trailing suction hopper dredgers, ensuring efficiency in handling the project’s vast scope.
Strong Market Presence in India
With over three decades of experience in India, DEME has established a firm foothold in the country’s maritime and dredging sector. The company has completed projects at ports including Hazira, Mumbai, Jafrabad, and Goa, solidifying its reputation for delivering large-scale infrastructure developments.
The Vadhavan Port project aligns with India’s broader maritime vision to expand its port capacity and improve logistics infrastructure, catering to the rising demand for breakbulk and containerized cargo movement. The involvement of international players such as DEME and Jan De Nul underscores the growing global interest in India’s port expansion strategies.
