Belgian dredging leaders DEME and Jan De Nul have been awarded a significant contract to assist in the development of the Vadhavan Port on India’s west coast.
The announcement was made on Wednesday evening during the ongoing Belgian royal economic mission in India.
The two companies will work as subcontractors for Indian partner ITD Cementation as part of a joint venture, with a letter of award signed to formalize the collaboration.
The ambitious project includes land development and coastal protection measures, aligning with the Indian government’s vision to transform Vadhavan into one of the world’s top ten container ports by 2040.
The port, located in Maharashtra, is part of India’s strategic push to expand its maritime infrastructure and enhance its role in global trade.
A Strategic Partnership
The partnership between DEME and Jan De Nul with ITD Cementation is seen as a significant boost to the project, given the Belgian firms’ extensive expertise in dredging and marine engineering.
Both companies are renowned for handling complex projects worldwide, making them valuable partners for India’s ambitious port development goals.
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO of DEME, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This project is not just about dredging; it’s about enabling India’s vision of becoming a global maritime hub. We are proud to bring our advanced technology and expertise to support this goal.”
Jan De Nul’s CEO, Michel Deruyck, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the long-standing experience and capabilities of Belgian dredging companies in executing large-scale projects efficiently.
Advanced Dredging Equipment to be Deployed
The project, set to commence in the third quarter of 2025 after the monsoon season, will involve two of the largest trailing suction hopper dredgers from DEME and Jan De Nul.
These advanced dredgers are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the timely and effective execution of land reclamation and coastal protection tasks.
The use of state-of-the-art equipment underscores the project’s scale and the Belgian companies’ commitment to maintaining high standards.
According to sources close to the deal, the dredging phase is expected to span several months, focusing on creating deep-water berths capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest container ships.
Coastal protection measures will also be implemented to safeguard the new infrastructure against erosion and environmental challenges.
Economic and Strategic Implications
The Vadhavan Port project is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its maritime infrastructure, which includes the Sagarmala initiative aimed at modernizing ports, reducing logistics costs, and promoting port-led development.
The collaboration with Belgian companies is anticipated to bring advanced dredging technology and expertise to India, potentially accelerating similar projects across the country.
Belgian officials accompanying the royal economic mission highlighted the significance of the deal in strengthening economic ties between Belgium and India.
The partnership also reflects a growing trend of European firms playing key roles in India’s infrastructure expansion, particularly in the maritime and logistics sectors.
As the two Belgian giants prepare to deploy their resources for the Vadhavan project, industry experts view the collaboration as a promising step towards realizing India’s ambitions of becoming a global shipping powerhouse.
The success of this project could open doors for further partnerships and reinforce Belgium’s reputation as a leader in dredging and marine engineering.
