Divya Agarwal
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 09: Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited (KMEW) is pleased to announce the commissioning of River Pearl 47, the largest and deepest Indian-flag, self-propelled backhoe dredger, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) under contract with the Dredging Corporation of India. This significant addition further strengthens KMEW’s specialized dredging fleet and reinforces its capability to execute complex marine infrastructure and port development projects across India.
River Pearl 47 is equipped with a Japanese-built Komatsu PC 2000 heavy-duty excavator mounted on a hydraulically operated three-legged spud barge powered by dual engines. The Komatsu PC2000 is a 200-tonne class hydraulic excavator designed for demanding dredging, mining, and large-scale infrastructure operations. The excavator was procured from abroad and has been integrated with the spud barge at Mumbai Port by the KMEW Group engineers, keeping in mind the stability and the structural integrity of the barge.
· ~1000 BHP engine delivering superior hydraulic performance
· Multiple boom and arm configurations enabling dredging depths from 4 meters to 30 meters below water level
· Bucket capacity ranging from 1.75 m³ to 12 m³ depending on configuration
· High cycle efficiency for faster and more precise dredging operations
Barge Specifications
· Length: 50 meters
· Width: 14 meters
· Spud Length: 32 meters
· Draft: Less than 4 meters, enabling shallow water operations
· Accommodation: 20 personnel
· Clear Deck Area: 300 square meters
· 4-point mooring winch system
· Multiple positioning systems achieving sub-meter accuracy in open sea conditions
Operational Capabilities
The backhoe dredger is designed for accurate excavation of stiff seabed layers including clay, rock, and boulders in shallow to deep waters. River Pearl 47 is ideally suited for dredging high spots in ports, creating precise pipeline trenches, and removing blasted rock-operations where conventional dredgers often face limitations.
Key Applications
· Port and Harbour Development: Deepening and widening channels and berths with high precision
· Hard Material Removal: Dredging hard clay, cemented gravel, and fractured rock
· Trenching and Pipeline Work: Accurate excavation for subsea cables and pipelines
· Environmental Dredging: Targeted sediment removal with minimal over-dredging
· Confined Area Operations: Effective manoeuvrability in narrow harbours and canals
Key Features
· High precision horizontal and vertical control
· Limited turbidity and reduced environmental impact
· Spud-mounted robust stability for high digging force
· Versatile operations in shallow waters and depths up to 30 meters
The commissioning of River Pearl 47 has enhanced KMEW’s capability to undertake technically challenging dredging assignments and supporting India’s growing port and maritime infrastructure development.
The project involves chartering specialized dredging equipment to carry out pre-treatment and rock dredging at the coastal berth area of Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai. The work includes drilling, controlled blasting, and removal of approximately 10,500 cubic meters of hard rock to achieve design depths of 11–12 meters below chart datum. All dredged material will be transported and disposed of at a designated offshore dumping site, with the contractor responsible for surveys, mobilization, permissions, and execution on a turnkey basis.
The scope extends beyond dredging to include associated activities such as environmental monitoring, obtaining regulatory approvals, and ensuring safe handling of explosives. The contractor bears full responsibility for any damage to port infrastructure during operations and must secure appropriate risk insurance. Given the operational nature of the berth, the contractor must ensure that port activities remain uninterrupted and deploy suitable equipment and methodologies accordingly.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
