Tebma Shipyards has delivered to the Indian Navy its first dredger.
It will now enter service under the Western Naval Command.
The dredger is 44.14 metres long, 12.2 metres wide, has a draught of 2.90 metres and a depth of 3.80 metres.
The dredger was designed in India, with 90 per cent of its construction materials sourced locally, reflecting the Indian Government's push of the 'Make in India' policy. It is hoped this new acquisition will increase the Indian Navy's self-sufficiency and eliminate the need to contract private or foreign service agencies.
Make in India is a signature policy implemented by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which encourages companies to build their products within India. It is hoped that through this India's GDP growth and tax revenue will increase and that it will attract investment.
'Dredger-1' a self-propelled grab-hopper dredger with a capacity to hold 300 cubic metres of dredged material. It features hopper bottom doors for the disposal of dredged material while out at sea. Grab-hopper dredges generally produce minimal turbidity and disturbance to marine ecosystems.
