Dredging Corporation of India wants a grab or backhoe dredger and two hopper barges on hire for work in V.O. Chidambaranar Port, and the Tuticorin dredger tender closes at 3:00 PM on 18 November 2026.
Plant on charter, paid by quantity
The scope is chartering of a grab or backhoe dredger and two hopper barges on a quantity basis, for dredging at Zone-B and the approach channel of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority at Tuticorin. The reference is DCI/HO/OPS/VOCPA/ZONE-B/2026 and the contract is item rate, so you are paid per cubic metre moved rather than per day on station.
This is one of the few tenders where the equipment itself is the contract. DCI holds the dredging obligation at the port and brings in private plant where its own fleet is committed elsewhere, which opens the door to marine plant owners and operators rather than civil contractors.
Value not disclosed, and a short fuse
The portal shows no tender value and no work period. The EMD of ₹58,07,000 points to an estimate of about ₹29.04 crore if the deposit is 2 per cent, which should be treated as a guide only. The tender fee is ₹5,900. Published on 4 November with a close on 18 November, this is a two week window, and bids open the same afternoon as closing.
On a per cubic metre contract the risk sits with you, not the client. Material type decides everything: a grab dredger handles stiff clay and debris in berth pockets, a backhoe dredger is faster in shallow approach reaches with hard patches. Barge cycle time to the disposal ground, not dredger capacity, usually sets the daily output, so two hoppers for one dredger tells you the expected haul. Owners of land plant will recognise the logic from excavator and tipper matching, where an undersized haul fleet leaves the digging machine idle and the rate unearned.
Key facts
Tender ID
2026_MoS_933187_1
Reference no.
DCI/HO/OPS/VOCPA/ZONE-B/2026
Issuing authority
Dredging Corporation of India Limited, under the Ministry of Shipping
Location
Zone-B and the approach channel of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
Estimated value
Not officially disclosed (about ₹29.04 crore if the EMD is 2 per cent)
Chartering of a grab or backhoe dredger and two hopper barges, on a quantity basis, for dredging at Zone-B and the approach channel of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tuticorin.
What is the contract value?
The portal does not disclose it. The EMD of ₹58,07,000 suggests roughly ₹29.04 crore if the deposit is 2 per cent, so confirm the figure in the charter document.
Who should bid?
Owners and operators of marine plant. The contract hires the dredger and barges rather than awarding civil work, and payment is per quantity dredged.
When do bids close?
At 3:00 PM on 18 November 2026, with opening at 3:30 PM the same day.
Tender details are summarised for convenience and may change. Always verify the latest dates, terms and documents on the official tendering portal before bidding. DesiMachines is not responsible for changes made by the issuing authority.
Bidding with your own machines?Tenders often ask for machine papers such as the RC, insurance and invoice. Keep them in one private place on My Machine and get a reminder before insurance or service falls due. Free.
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