MOL and SCI forge partnership to expand tugboat business in India

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the tugboat sector, strengthening India’s port operations and advancing the transition toward greener maritime services.

The agreement was signed on October 27 by MOL President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto and SCI Managing Director Binesh Kumar Tyagi during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, a premier international maritime event running from October 27 to 31.

India’s fast-growing economy is expected to drive a steady rise in maritime activity, with container volumes projected to increase by 6–8% annually and energy cargo by 3–5% over the next decade. As vessel traffic intensifies, the demand for efficient and reliable tugboat operations will become even more critical to ensure safe berthing and unberthing at the nation’s ports.

Supporting this growth, the Indian government’s Green Tug Transition Program aims to convert all tugboats operating at major ports into eco-friendly “Green Tugs” by 2040 — a transformative step toward sustainable port operations.

MOL, which currently operates tugboat services across Japan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, will bring its expertise in safety management, operational excellence, and alternative fuel technologies to the partnership. By combining these capabilities with SCI’s extensive network and local experience, the collaboration seeks to enhance India’s tugboat infrastructure, improve port efficiency, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the maritime sector.