DPS history started in September 22, 1910 when the colonial Dutch Government established N.V Drogdok Maatschappij. It was originally intended to service Dutch ships in Indonesia. Between 1942 and 1945, the company was managed by the Japanese Government under the name of Harima Zosen.

After its nationalization on January 1, 1961, N.V Droogdok Maatschappij Soerabaja became a state-owned company named P.N Dok dan Perkapalan Surabaya. Based on the decree by the Minister of Sea Communication in 1963, the dockyard Sumber Bhaita was integrated into the company. Then, since January 8, 1976 the company has assumed a new legal status as PT. Dok dan Perkapalan Surabaya (Persero), acronym DPS.

Since 1961 alone from the available database DPS has repaired and built more than 600 various types of ships, ordered by both local and foreign customers.