2024 - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd | Commemorative Coin

The 10th commemorative coin of 2024 was released to celebrate the 250 Years of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), originally known as Mazagon Dock Limited, is one of India’s oldest and most significant shipyards, located in Mazagaon, Mumbai. Renowned for its expertise in warship and submarine construction, MDL has played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s maritime defense capabilities. The shipyard builds frontline naval assets including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and advanced submarines for the Indian Navy. Beyond defense, MDL also contributes to the commercial sector by constructing offshore platforms, support vessels for oil exploration, tankers, cargo carriers, passenger ships, and ferries.

The origins of the shipyard trace back to 1774, making it one of the earliest modern industrial establishments in India. Over the years, ownership of the facility changed hands multiple times, involving prominent maritime companies such as the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company and the British-India Steam Navigation Company. In 1934, it was formally registered as a public company under the name Mazagon Dock Limited. The shipyard was nationalized in 1960, subsequently becoming a public sector undertaking under the Government of India. Today, MDL functions as a premier shipbuilder with a rich legacy of innovation and service to the nation.

A major milestone in MDL’s history was the construction of its first warship, INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Nilgiri-class frigates. With a displacement of 2,900 tons, INS Nilgiri was launched on 15 October 1966 and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 23 June 1972. This achievement marked India’s entry into the era of indigenous warship construction. Over the next nine years, MDL successfully built five additional frigates of the same class, laying the foundation for the country’s modern naval shipbuilding capabilities.

Apart from warship construction, MDL is also a key participant in India’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure development. With operational facilities at Alcock, Mumbai, and the Nhava Yard, the shipyard constructs advanced offshore platforms equipped for wellhead operations, water injection systems, production separation, and glycol processing. Its portfolio also includes jack-up rigs, single buoy moorings (SBMs), and various complex offshore structures, supporting both national and commercial industrial requirements.

Through sustained technical advancement, strategic collaborations, and an expanding industrial capacity, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has emerged as a symbol of India’s self-reliance in shipbuilding. Its contributions continue to shape the nation’s maritime strength and industrial growth.

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