August 4, 2025: State-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has received approval to construct a floating dry dock and launching facility at Nhava, off the Mumbai coast. The proposal was recently cleared by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) during its July meeting, marking a significant development for India’s shipbuilding sector.
Established in 1960, MDL is a leading defence public sector undertaking responsible for building warships and submarines for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. It directly employs over 6,000 skilled workers and supports thousands more through its extensive supply chain. The shipyard is currently working on Project 17, 15A, and 15B warships, as well as six Scorpene-class submarines, with a total order book of around 31 defence vessels.
The upcoming floating dry dock, which will measure 180 metres in length and span over 13,585 square metres, is designed to address the limitations of land-based infrastructure. Its six modular blocks are being fabricated in Bharuch, Gujarat, and will later be assembled at MDL’s Nhava yard. A temporary assembly facility will be constructed on a patch of vacant land with no mangroves or vegetation and dismantled after the dock is launched in March 2026, according to MCZMA’s meeting records.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report presented to the authority found that the site at Nhava offers favourable wave protection due to the proximity of Elephanta Island. The tidal circulation in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) channel is also considered ideal for ship movement.
In a related development, Thane MP and Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, requesting that MDL be nominated to construct next-generation destroyer warships. The minister reportedly responded positively, reinforcing the strategic importance of MDL’s expansion.
Source: Hindustan Times
