Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) reached an important construction milestone today with the ceremonial keel-laying of the first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) in its six-ship order for Danish shipping company Navi Merchants. The event was held at MDL’s South Yard facility in Mumbai.
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The keel-laying marks the formal beginning of the hull assembly process for these specialized cargo vessels. Each MPV in the series will measure 116.2 meters in length with a deadweight capacity of 7,500 metric tons. Designed to cruise at speeds exceeding 11 knots, the vessels will feature an 85kW shaft generator system and be built to DNV classification standards.
MDL Chairman and Managing Director Biju George presided over the ceremony alongside Peter Bertelsen, Technical Director of Navi Merchants. Senior representatives from DNV, the Norwegian classification society overseeing the project, also attended the event.
“This project demonstrates MDL’s growing capabilities in the global commercial shipbuilding market,” stated CMD Biju George during the ceremony. “We are honored to work with Navi Merchants and remain committed to delivering these vessels to the highest quality standards.”
The contract, valued at approximately USD 14 million per vessel, represents a significant expansion of MDL’s commercial shipbuilding portfolio. Production activities began in September 2024, with the first vessel scheduled for delivery in April 2026. The remaining five vessels will follow at regular intervals.
As one of India’s premier shipyards under the Ministry of Defence, MDL continues to balance its strategic naval projects with growing commercial shipbuilding opportunities. This latest project reinforces India’s position in the international maritime industry and showcases the technical expertise of Indian shipbuilders.
The vessels are designed to handle multiple cargo types efficiently, meeting the evolving needs of modern shipping operators. Their construction follows MDL’s recent successes in delivering complex maritime projects for both domestic and international clients.
A leading Indian shipyard with a 250-year legacy, MDL specializes in warships and submarines for the Indian Navy while increasingly serving commercial shipping clients worldwide. The company operates state-of-the-art facilities in Mumbai.
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