‘River Pearl 47’ boosts India’s capability in complex port and marine infrastructure works.

Knowledge Marine Deploys India’s Largest Backhoe Dredger at JNPA.

Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd (KMEW) has commissioned River Pearl 47, India’s largest and deepest Indian-flag, self-propelled backhoe dredger, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) under a three-month contract awarded by Dredging Corporation of India Ltd. The advanced dredger strengthens KMEW’s specialised fleet of 45 vessels, which includes Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers, Cutter Suction Dredgers, and other high-capacity dredging assets. River Pearl 47 is equipped with a Japanese-built Komatsu PC2000 excavator mounted on a hydraulically operated spud barge, enabling dredging depths ranging from 4 to 30 metres with bucket capacities of up to 12 cubic metres. At JNPA, the dredger will excavate approximately 10,500 cubic metres of rock at a berth operated by JM Baxi Ports & Logistics Ltd, enhancing navigational depth and supporting India’s expanding port infrastructure.