A relatively unknown marine engineering company has just secured ₹270 crores from marquee investors, including ace stock picker Ashish Kacholia, signaling growing confidence in India’s maritime infrastructure boom. Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited completed a preferential share allotment that could position the firm to capitalize on what industry experts project as a massive expansion opportunity in shipbuilding and dredging services.
According to Business Standard, Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works’ board approved the allotment of 14,21,054 equity shares at ₹1,900 per share to non-promoter investors on October 30, 2025, raising ₹270 crores. Additionally, as per The Economic Times, the company allotted 77,946 convertible warrants at the same price to promoter category investors, bringing in another ₹14.8 crores. The warrants are convertible into equity shares within 18 months, according to ScanX.
The investor lineup reads like a who’s who of savvy capital allocators. As reported by TipRanks, notable participants include Infinity Direct Holdings with 4.64 lakh shares, Infinity Direct Capital with 5.46 lakh shares, and veteran investor Ashish Kacholia, who deployed approximately ₹10 crores for 52,632 shares. Following the allotment, the company’s paid-up equity share capital increased from 1.08 crore shares to 1.22 crore shares, with the new shares subject to SEBI-mandated lock-in periods.
This capital infusion comes at a pivotal moment for India’s maritime sector. According to an industry report published in 2024, the Indian shipbuilding industry is valued at $1.12 billion and is projected to surge to $8 billion by 2033, demonstrating an astonishing compound annual growth rate of 60%. The IMARC Group forecasts that India’s ship repairing market will grow from $1.3 billion in 2024 to $2.8 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.9%.
Knowledge Marine operates at the intersection of several high-growth maritime segments. According to Screener, the company’s core business includes dredging services, owning and operating marine crafts, and repairs and maintenance of marine infrastructure across India and Myanmar. The company operates a diverse fleet identified as River Pearl 1 through River Pearl 12, including pilot boats, dredgers, and survey vessels.
The fundraising aligns with ambitious expansion plans. As per a press release from September 2025, the total funds raised of ₹284.81 crores will enable the company to execute a capital expenditure plan of ₹750 crores over the next 2 to 3 years. According to ScanX, as of May 2025, Knowledge Marine’s order book stood at a robust ₹881 crores, with bids placed for new projects totaling ₹3,500 crores. Management projects achieving ₹600 to 700 crores in revenue within the next three years.
Recent contract wins underscore the company’s growing market presence. According to Trade Brains, Knowledge Marine received a Letter of Intent valued at ₹385.76 crores from V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority for a 15-year contract to operate a 60-ton electric green tug. The Economic Times reports the company also secured a ₹80.69 crore order from the Inland Waterways Authority of India for designing and constructing work boats and accommodation boats.
The company’s diversification strategy extends beyond traditional dredging. As per ScanX, Knowledge Marine secured a 20-year contract to operate a luxury cruise service on the Narmada River from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, with projected potential revenue of up to ₹800 crores over the contract period. This marks the company’s strategic entry into maritime tourism, complementing its core engineering operations.
Several tailwinds support Knowledge Marine’s growth trajectory. Dynamic Area reports that India’s ship repair sector, currently accounting for less than 1% of the global market, has unrealized potential of ₹6,000 crores annually, with the possibility of creating a ₹14,000 crore market over the next decade. Ken Research notes that approximately 27 major shipyards were actively operational in India as of 2024, with government initiatives like the Sagarmala Program driving sector expansion.
The stock market responded positively to the capital raise. According to The Economic Times, shares of Knowledge Marine surged 5% to ₹2,433.55 on the BSE following the allotment announcement. HDFC Sky reported that shares had jumped nearly 7% after the company’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting approved the preferential issue in early October.
This capital infusion represents more than just financial engineering. It positions Knowledge Marine to participate in India’s maritime infrastructure transformation at a time when traditional shipbuilding nations are fully booked until 2028, creating unprecedented opportunities for Indian players. With strategic backing from experienced investors and a ₹750 crore expansion roadmap, the company is betting big that India’s moment in global maritime services has finally arrived. For investors and industry watchers alike, Knowledge Marine’s execution over the next few years will serve as a crucial test case for whether India can truly capture meaningful share in the global ship repair and building markets.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes and does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendations. The author is not SEBI-registered as an investment advisor. Recipients should conduct their own research and consult a qualified, SEBI-registered investment advisor before making any investment decisions. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks; read all related documents carefully before investing.
