Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on tugboat operations across India, aiming to meet the growing demand for port support services and advance the country’s green maritime goals. The agreement was formalised this week during the India Maritime Week in Mumbai.
The partnership comes at a time when India’s ports are preparing for a sharp increase in vessel traffic, with container cargo projected to grow annually by 6–8 per cent and energy cargo by 3–5 per cent over the next decade. The expected rise in berthing and un-berthing operations will require a substantial expansion in tugboat capacity.
Under the collaboration, MOL will leverage its international experience in tugboat operations across Japan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, particularly in the areas of safe port management and alternative fuel technologies. SCI will contribute its extensive domestic service network and in-depth understanding of Indian port systems.
The MoU also aligns with the Government of India’s Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), which aims to convert all tugboats at major ports into low-emission “green tugs” by 2040. The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and promote sustainable port operations.
According to MOL, the cooperation will not only enhance safety in vessel handling but also support emission reduction efforts at Indian ports.
Industry observers noted that the agreement marks a significant step in modernising India’s port infrastructure — an area traditionally focused on cargo capacity, logistics efficiency, and sustainability. By prioritising tugboat operations, the MOL–SCI partnership underscores how green transition efforts are now extending to crucial but often overlooked areas of port logistics and vessel turnaround.
