Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co

What Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co does

Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co (동아지질, KRX:28100) is a South Korea-based specialist geotechnical and underground engineering contractor headquartered in Busan. Founded in 1973, the company focuses on four core technical disciplines: Deep Cement Mixing (DCM), shield tunnel boring machines (TBM), diaphragm wall construction, and DVS ground treatment, serving infrastructure projects across transport, port, energy, and urban utility sectors.

The company's primary technology platform is DATBM, which it positions as the first domestically developed shield TBM in Korea. DATBM has been deployed across multiple diameter classes (No.1 through No.5 variants) for subsea tunnels, urban metros, and cable tunnels, with field-proven use in projects such as the Singapore Cross Island Line CR106 and Korea's Yeongil Port undersea tunnel. The company also produces in-house DCM barges and operates the Icheon manufacturing plant for slurry walls, segment fabrication, and TBM assembly.

Dong Ah generates revenue primarily through fixed-price and unit-rate construction contracts awarded by government agencies and large Korean general contractors. Major clients include Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA), Hyundai E&C, Samsung C&T, Daewoo E&C, GS E&C, and Woh Hup. Geographically, revenue is split between domestic Korean infrastructure work and overseas projects in Singapore, the Middle East (notably Iraq's Al Faw Port), and Southeast Asia. The company was awarded the Korean government's "$1 Billion Overseas Builder" designation and has expanded its international project pipeline meaningfully over the 2022-2025 period.

Name

Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co

Legal name

DONG-Ah GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING COMPANY Ltd.

Website

https://dage.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co (동아지질) is a Korean specialist geotechnical contractor offering DCM, shield TBM, and diaphragm wall services for transport, port, and energy infrastructure projects domestically and across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geotechnical Engineering Services

NAICS

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237), Site Preparation Contractors (23891), Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (238190)

SIC

Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tunneling & Underground Geotechnics (Ground Treatment, Support, NATM/SEM Interfaces) (IMAFAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shallow Foundations & Ground Support (Footings, Rafts, Ground Beams) (IMAFAOAB), Earth Retention & Excavation Support (Sheet/Soldier Piles, Diaphragm Walls, Bracing) (IMAFAOAD), Tunnels & Underground Rail Civil Construction (IMAFAFAE), Subsea & Nearshore Civil Works (Trenching, Rock Placement, Mattressing) (IMAFAJAI), Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB)

Keywords

• Geotechnical construction services
• Tunnel boring machine
• Ground improvement engineering
• Deep cement mixing
• Diaphragm wall construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Busan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Construction Subcontracting: B2B construction services provided as subcontractor or JV partner to general contractors on large infrastructure projects including MRT tunnels, port expansions, airport runways, and highways. Revenue derived from specialized geotechnical and tunnel construction work packages.
2. Equipment Manufacturing: In-house manufacturing of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) equipment including proprietary DATBM models. Equipment deployed on company projects with potential for future sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dong-Ah Geological Engineering provides specialized geotechnical construction services including ground improvement via Deep Cement Mixing (DCM), tunnel excavation using in-house manufactured Shield TBMs (DATBM series), deep foundation work via Diaphragm Walls and Bored Piles, and soft-soil consolidation through DVS vacuum preloading. The company delivers these services to government infrastructure agencies and major general contractors, operating as either a specialty subcontractor or joint-venture partner on transit, airport, port, and strategic underground projects across South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Iraq.

Product overview

Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co operates as a specialized geotechnical and tunneling construction company with four core service areas: DCM (Deep Cement Mixing) for ground improvement, Shield TBM for tunnel excavation, Diaphragm Wall/Bored Pile for foundation work, and DVS (Vacuum Consolidation). The company also offers engineering consulting and maintains a track record portfolio spanning Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Iraq. The product portfolio centers on proprietary DATBM tunnel boring machines developed in-house, and the company holds recognition as a Construction Equipment Manufacturer and Assembler from Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DCM (Deep Cement Mixing) Ground Improvement Deep Cement Mixing ground improvement service for soft ground stabilization. Cement-water mixture is injected while rotating agitators create improved ground bodies, applicable to both land and marine construction for port breakwaters, runway foundations, and land reclamation.
• Shield TBM Tunneling Service (DATBM platform) Tunnel excavation service utilizing in-house manufactured Shield Tunnel Boring Machines (DATBM series) including DATBM-3630S (3.6m class), DATBM-3230S (3m class), and additional in-house models deployed on metro, highway, and power-tunnel projects.
• Diaphragm Wall and Bored Pile Foundation Construction Construction of continuous reinforced concrete diaphragm walls in the ground and cast-in-place Bored Piles (750-3000mm diameters) for deep foundations, underground structures, and water-sealing barriers including Cement-Bentonite Wall (CBW) technology.
• DVS (Individual Vacuum Consolidation) Soft Soil Treatment Individual Vacuum Consolidation service that accelerates consolidation of soft clay layers by applying vacuum pressure (70kPa+) through PBD (Plastic Board Drain), featuring the ICS (Install & Check System) for simultaneous drainage material installation and vacuum pressure verification.
• Engineering Consulting for Geotechnical Projects Engineering consulting covering ground investigation, design, and quality monitoring, provided alongside the company's construction services as integrated geotechnical engineering support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Asia's largest marine DCM project at Hong Kong International Airport 3RS
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woh HupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership (WOH HUP-DONGAH JV) for Singapore CR106 Cross Island Line MRT project involving bored tunneling with 2 TBMs operating simultaneously under existing HDB residential areas and structures. Strategic JV for tunnel construction in Singapore market.
• UGITEC (Japan)coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical collaboration with Japanese TBM specialist UGITEC for development of Shield TBM technology. DATBM-3630S developed through this partnership starting September 2023. Enables in-house TBM manufacturing capability.
• CCCC·OBAYASHI·CAGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject partnership for Singapore Changi Airport T5 expansion. Hosted 5 million accident-free man-hours ceremony and awarded SHE Excellence Award to Dong-Ah.
• Samsung C&TcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-term partnership for tunneling and foundation projects. Conducted CSMS safety certification review awarding highest 3-star rating. Ongoing project collaboration.
• Hyundai Engineering & ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStrategic H-PRIME LEADERS partnership program; selected as Excellent Partner for 4 consecutive years (2022-2025). Multiple project collaborations including technology expo participation.
• Daewoo E&CcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint venture partner for Singapore CRL CR108 project. Recognized as Outstanding Partner at 2023 Sharing Growth Meeting. Pasir Ris station construction.
• GS E&CcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for Singapore T301 4-IN-ONE DEPOT project. JV for world's first four-in-one depot construction. Awarded appreciation plaque for project completion in 2026.
• LTA (Land Transport Authority) SingaporecoreOthersSingapore government transit authority; primary client for multiple MRT projects including CR106, CR108, T301, NSC series. Awards ASAC safety awards annually to subcontractors.
• HDB (Housing and Development Board) SingaporecoreOthersSingapore government housing authority; client for Tekong DCM ground improvement projects for public housing land development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nishimatsu Construction: Japanese specialty tunneling and underground construction contractor with strong shield TBM track record across Asia. Most directly comparable in scale and service mix as a tunneling specialist.
• Taisei Corporation: Major Japanese construction company with strong tunneling and underground engineering capabilities including shield TBM operations. Comparable in executing complex tunneling and underground infrastructure projects in Asia.
• Obayashi Corporation: Japanese major contractor with deep tunneling and underground infrastructure expertise, including shield TBM and underground station construction. Comparable in technical capability and Asian market presence for transit tunneling.
• Soletanche Bachy (Vinci Construction): World-leading geotechnical and foundation engineering specialist within Vinci Group, offering ground improvement, deep foundations, diaphragm walls, and tunneling solutions globally. Most direct global comparable to Dong-Ah's DCM, TBM, and D-wall service portfolio.
• Bauer AG: German specialty foundation engineering contractor with global operations in deep foundations, ground improvement, and tunneling. Comparable business model as a specialist contractor serving infrastructure and construction markets with proprietary equipment.
• Shimizu Corporation: Japanese major contractor with significant tunneling, underground, and foundation engineering divisions. Comparable in offering integrated underground construction services across Asian markets.
• Keller Group plc: UK-based geotechnical solutions specialist operating across ground improvement, foundations, and earth retention. Closely comparable product portfolio including DCM-equivalent ground improvement techniques and large-diameter piling.
• Trevi Group: Italian specialty contractor focused on geotechnical engineering, foundation works, and underground construction. Comparable in offering specialized foundation and ground improvement services to large infrastructure clients.

Others

• Herrenknecht AG: World's leading TBM manufacturer and Dong-Ah's peer only as a TBM technology ecosystem participant. Herrenknecht supplies shield TBMs globally, while Dong-Ah has developed competing in-house DATBM technology through its Icheon Plant.
• China Railway Engineering Equipment Group (CREG): Major Chinese TBM manufacturer and existing TBM supplier to Dong-Ah for the Singapore CR106 project. Ecosystem participant and equipment partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfsF_cONoTUNMFePfloyAhA

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Dong Ah Geological Engineering Co