DBC and Sons

What DBC and Sons does

DBC and Sons (legal name: Darabshaw B. Cursetjee's Sons (Gujarat) Pvt. Ltd.) is a Mumbai-headquartered, family-owned integrated logistics and shipping services company that has operated continuously since 1929 and is currently steered by the fifth generation of the Dubash family. The company offers ten core service modules across the shipping and logistics value chain: ship agency services (vessel management, port operations, chartering, liner agency), stevedoring, custom house agency, auto logistics including pre-delivery inspection (PDI), chemical/ISO tank and gas logistics, freight forwarding (sea, road, air), multi-modal transportation, project cargo and heavy-lift handling, warehousing & 3PL (added in 2024), and shipping-line marketing representation. Deliveries occur through direct B2B field sales and approximately 15 strategic locations spanning every major port on India's West Coast plus an inland container depot and several representative offices.

Commercially, DBC generates revenue principally via professional services and managed services arrangements (agency commissions, stevedoring fees, customs brokerage, project cargo handling) with select lines including warehousing on a managed-services basis. The firm's largest disclosed commercial anchor is its uninterrupted agency relationship with NYK Line dating to 1940, complemented by mandates from other top global principals (Cosco since 2019, CMA CGM, ONE, ZIM, Yusen) and representation of Katoen Natie for ISO tank operations. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The company's competitive positioning rests on brand legacy, port-side distribution, and principal relationships rather than proprietary technology — no app, API, or AI capabilities are disclosed. Operations are anchored in India with claimed reach to Europe, the Far East, and broader global coverage via network partnerships (PANCO, JGC Line Network joined in 2025). A wholly-owned subsidiary, DBC Logistics Pvt Ltd (established 2007), runs the door-to-door logistics arm. The firm remains privately held by the founding family with no institutional investors, public listing, or disclosed revenue figures.

Name

DBC and Sons

Legal name

DARABSHAW B.CURSETJEE'S SONS (GUJARAT) PVT. LTD.

Website

https://dbcgujarat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

DBC and Sons (Darabshaw B. Cursetjee's Sons Gujarat Pvt. Ltd.) is a Mumbai-based, fifth-generation family-owned integrated logistics and shipping services company operating across 15 Indian port locations, serving global container shipping lines (NYK, Cosco, CMA CGM, ONE, ZIM), automotive OEMs (Maruti Suzuki, Honda), and chemical and project cargo clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Maritime Logistics Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)

akta.pro primary industry

Breakbulk & Project Cargo Handling (Heavy Lift, Out-of-Gauge Handling) (TLAHALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), Liquid Bulk / Tanker Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAL), Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), Vehicle Transportation & Logistics for Remarketing (Pickup/Delivery, Marshaling) (TLABAKAG), Hazmat & Dangerous Goods Warehousing (Regulated Storage) (TLAIACAE)

Keywords

• Ship agency services
• Port stevedoring operations
• Freight forwarding logistics
• Customs brokerage services
• ISO tank logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Agency Services: Ship agency services including vessel management, port operations, chartering, and liner agent services for various shipping lines operating in Indian ports
2. Stevedoring Services: Cargo handling services including loading, discharging, and supervision of various cargo types at ports
3. Custom House Agent Services: Customs clearance and documentation services for imports and exports
4. Auto Logistics: Pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and automotive logistics services including yard management for automotive manufacturers
5. Chemical Logistics: ISO Tank and Gas logistics services including tank leasing and fleet management for chemical distribution
6. Warehousing & 3PL: Third-party logistics and warehousing services with pan-India scalable supply chain solutions
7. Freight Forwarding: Multi-modal freight forwarding services via sea, road and air with customs clearance and documentation
8. Transportation: Multi-modal transportation solutions for project cargo, pharma, solar panels, agri, liquids and loose cargo
9. Project Cargo: Turn-key logistics services for heavy lifts and over-dimensional cargo (ODC) including door-to-door multi-modal transport
10. Marketing Agency: Container marketing services as agents for container shipping lines, particularly in Gujarat and Nhava regions

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DBC and Sons (legally Darabshaw B. Cursetjee's Sons (Gujarat) Pvt Ltd) operates as an integrated shipping and logistics services provider headquartered in Mumbai, India. The company delivers ship agency, stevedoring, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, multi-modal transportation, automotive pre-delivery inspection logistics, ISO tank chemical logistics, heavy-lift/project cargo handling, and warehousing & 3PL services. Operations are anchored at major ports on India's West Coast, serving enterprise principals such as international container shipping lines, automotive manufacturers, chemical companies, and project cargo operators.

Product overview

DBC and Sons (Gujarat) Pvt Ltd operates as an integrated logistics and shipping services company offering a comprehensive portfolio of 10 core service modules. The service suite spans the entire logistics value chain from vessel agency and stevedoring at ports, through freight forwarding and multi-modal transportation, to customs brokerage, chemical logistics, auto logistics, project cargo handling, and warehousing & 3PL services. The company serves as a one-stop solution for shipping and logistics needs, with particular expertise in chemical ISO tank operations, auto pre-delivery inspection, and heavy lift/project cargo handling. Services are delivered through strategic presence across major Indian ports on the West Coast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agency Services Management of vessel types including bulk carriers, break bulk, project vessels, containers, LNG carriers and car carriers through adherence to port operations and legal requirements. Includes owner protective agents, chartering agents, liner agents, port captaincy, ship handling, and bunkering services for shipping line principals calling at Indian ports.
• Stevedoring Cargo handling services using modern equipment for specialized steel pipes, structurals, heavy lifts, over dimensional cargo (ODC), and bulk and general cargo at Indian ports. Pioneers in loading and discharging heavy lifts and project cargo in India.
• Custom House Agent

Quantifiable outcome

• First in India to handle fragile CKD imports for NYK/Maruti Udyog Limited and Steel pipes for Gas Authority of India
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PANCO NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Joined PANCO Network in 2025 as part of network expansion strategy. PANCO is a consortium of freight forwarders providing broader network reach and collaborative opportunities.
• JGC Line NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Joined JGC Line Network, a consortium of Freight Forwarders, in 2025 for enhanced freight forwarding capabilities and network collaboration.
• CoscoflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Appointed as Marketing Agent for Cosco container shipping line in Gujarat in 2019. DBC handles container marketing services on behalf of Cosco.
• NYK LineflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1940Longest-standing principal relationship since 1940. DBC handles first vessel for NYK Line India Limited and continues as marketing agent and service provider. DBC manages Maruti Suzuki Yard on behalf of NYK Line.
• CMA CGMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal shipping line client for container marketing services in Gujarat region
• ONE (Ocean Network Express)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal shipping line client for container marketing and agency services
• ZIMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal shipping line client for container marketing and agency services
• Katoen NatiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal for ISO tank operations and chemical logistics services. DBC provides representation for Katoen Natie's tank container operations.
• Yusen LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal for container shipping and logistics operations
• Pangea by PANCOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics network partnership as part of PANCO consortium membership

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Allcargo Logistics: Indian integrated logistics provider offering freight forwarding, 3PL, project cargo and customs brokerage across Indian ports, directly overlapping with DBC's port-centric service suite.
• Transport Corporation of India (TCI): Large Indian multi-modal logistics and freight forwarding company with freight, supply chain, and warehousing divisions, comparable to DBC's 3PL and freight forwarding offerings.
• Gati (TCI subsidiary): Indian express distribution and 3PL company with pan-India surface and air freight capabilities, comparable to DBC's multi-modal transportation and warehousing services.
• Continental Carriers: India-based freight forwarding and ship agency firm offering similar customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and project cargo services across Indian ports.
• Balaji Shipping Agency: Indian ship agency and freight forwarding company providing vessel agency, customs clearance, and stevedoring services at major Indian ports, overlapping directly with DBC's core agency/stevedoring lines.

Broad incumbents

• Kuehne+Nagel India: Global freight forwarding and contract logistics major with significant Indian operations offering ocean, air, and road freight forwarding; competes for the same large manufacturer/shipper customers as DBC.
• DHL Global Forwarding India: Global logistics major providing multi-modal freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and contract logistics in India, a broad incumbent competing with DBC for freight forwarding and project cargo work.
• Expeditors India: Global air and ocean freight forwarder with established India presence; competes for the same shipping line agency, customs clearance, and chemical/project cargo segments as DBC.
• Maersk Logistics & Services India: Global container shipping and integrated logistics provider with Indian port operations; overlaps with DBC's ocean freight and stevedoring activities and competes for ISO tank and project cargo flows.

Others

• CMA CGM (India): One of DBC's principal container shipping line clients; included here as a customer-cum-adjacent industry player whose Indian operations intersect with the same Gujarat/West Coast port network DBC services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dbcgujarat

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DBC and Sons