Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works (KMEW) has completed the acquisition of River Pearl 48, a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD), at a capital cost of approximately Rs 250 crore.

The acquisition strengthens KMEW's fleet and execution capacity for large-scale maintenance dredging projects.

A River Pearl 48 is a self-propelled vessel that dredges while moving slowly over the seabed.

1. Suction: Trailing pipes with dragheads are lowered to the seabed. Powerful pumps draw up a mixture of water and sediment.
2. Hopper loading: The sediment settles in the vessel's hopper while excess water flows out through overflow systems.
3. Transport: Once loaded, the vessel sails to a designated disposal or reclamation area.
4. Discharge: The dredged material is released through bottom doors, pumped ashore, or discharged by another method, depending on the project. The vessel then returns to the dredging area and repeats the cycle.

With a maximum dredging depth of 36 m, River Pearl 48 has the potential to dredge approximately 8–10 million cubic metres per annum, subject to project conditions and deployment. The vessel is expected to support KMEW's recently awarded three-year maintenance dredging contract at New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), involving principal post-monsoon dredging of 15.9 million cubic metres over three years.

River Pearl 48 is scheduled for immediate deployment at New Mangalore Port, in time to support commencement of the maintenance dredging contract on 15 November 2026.