Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, India's leading warship manufacturer, is constructing the nation's largest floating dry dock at Nhava Island near Mumbai as part of a Rs 50 billion expansion plan aimed at supporting large-scale shipbuilding projects.The contract for the construction of the floating dry dock, which will measure 180 meters in length, 44 meters in width, and 19.5 meters in height, has been awarded to Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd for Rs 4.75 billion. Mazagon Dock's investment in the 40-acre Nhava facility, which includes the development of a jetty, vessel holding areas, dredging, and other related works, is expected to exceed Rs 10 billion.The floating dry dock is being constructed in six blocks, which will be assembled at Mazagon Dock's Nhava jetty after being towed from Shoft Shipyard's facility in Bharuch, Gujarat. The first four blocks have been completed, with the remaining two under construction. These will be transported to the Nhava jetty by March, where they will be assembled and launched.The new facility, which is expected to begin operations by the end of this year, will be capable of docking vessels up to 12,800 tons and will cater to large projects, including next-generation destroyers and ship repairs. The dock will have the capacity to simultaneously construct eight ships.In addition to the floating dry dock, Mazagon Dock plans to develop a shipbuilding and repair facility on 15 acres of land adjacent to its existing yard, leased from the Mumbai Port Authority. This new facility will feature a graving dry dock measuring approximately 180 meters by 60 meters, with additional infrastructure for both shipbuilding and repairs.Currently, Mazagon Dock’s existing yard can accommodate 11 submarines and 10 warships simultaneously. The new investments are set to double the company’s capacity, both in terms of the number of vessels and the size of ships it can handle.The company is also eyeing export and commercial orders, as well as the repair of large vessels, a capability it currently lacks. Biju George, Director of Shipbuilding, mentioned that the yard is experiencing capacity constraints in commercial shipbuilding, but once the new facilities are operational, it will be able to handle commercial vessel orders in-house, without the need to outsource.Mazagon Dock’s expansion is expected to strengthen its position in both defense and commercial shipbuilding sectors, including offshore projects.(ET)