Darabshaw B. Cursetjee’s (DBC) Sons is a long-standing maritime enterprise in India with a history dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Headquartered in the Ballard Estate district of Mumbai, the company functions as a shipping and port agent, managing the requirements of vessel port calls across the Indian coastline. Its core activities involve acting as the primary point of contact between vessel operators and local port ecosystems, ensuring that marine assets move efficiently through regulatory and operational phases.
The organization’s agency services cover a wide spectrum of administrative and logistical tasks required for successful port stays. This includes direct coordination with port authorities for berthing, as well as the management of customs and immigration formalities for the vessel and its personnel. The firm provides husbandry services such as crew change logistics, the coordination of bunker and fresh water supplies, and the delivery of essential ship stores and provisions. Reliable documentation handling and local operational assistance are central to their workflow, helping shipowners meet the specific requirements of various Indian maritime jurisdictions.
The company maintains a significant geographic presence throughout India, with a network of offices and representatives at major and minor ports. This includes extensive involvement in the Gujarat maritime sector at locations such as Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Dahej, and Hazira, in addition to operations at Mumbai, JNPT, and ports along the eastern and southern coasts. This widespread presence allows for localized oversight of vessel clearance and technical support, facilitating the transit of dry bulk, breakbulk, and containerized cargo. By bridging the gap between international shipping standards and local port regulations, the firm supports the daily functions of the maritime industry within the Indian subcontinent.
