On May 14th, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) celebrated its 250th anniversary. It must be noted how from being a small dry dock in 1774 to its incorporation in 1934, and subsequently, its stewardship under the Government of India since 1960, the MDL achieved the milestone of being relevant for 250 years — a testament to resilience, growth and enduring legacy.
To mark this momentous occasion, the MDL organised a series of events including the inauguration of adjacent land acquired from MPA, the launching of a prototype of the indigenous midget submarine ‘Arowana,’ commissioning of a Solar Electric Hybrid boat, and the release of MDL’s Commemorative Coin which marks the 250 years completed and conducting a daylong technical seminar. Gracing the pristine occasion, Defence Secretary Mr. Giridhar Aramane, who was also the chief guest at the event, formally inaugurated the contiguous piece of land acquired from the Mumbai Port Authority.
The Secretary also commissioned the Solar Electric Hybrid boat with a top speed of 11 Knots designed and co-developed with an indigenous technology partner. The running cost is almost 1/10th of a diesel boat and also has a very low maintenance cost. In addition, a 24 pax Fuel Cell Electric Ferry named “SUCHI,” conceptualized by MDL & co-developed with an indigenous technology partner, was also commissioned by the Defence Secretary. Its advanced technology has zero emissions, and low acoustic signatures, leading to cleaner waterways and contributing to environmental conservation.
During the event, Secretary Aramane stated that “MDL is a precious jewel in the crown of India and has contributed immensely in building capacities for naval and commercial purposes. It is the biggest shipyard in the country, contributing most to the assets of the Indian Navy.”
