Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto today announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. SCI Managing Director Binesh Kumar Tyagi on October 27, under which the companies will collaborate on the tugboat business in India. The signing ceremony took place during the international maritime event “India Maritime Week 2025,” held in Mumbai over five days starting October 27.
India’s economic growth is expected to drive an annual increase of 6%–8% in container cargo and 3%–5% in energy cargo
over the next decade, with major ports in the country anticipating a rise in the number of vessel calls. In response to these developments, additional tugboats will be required to support the safe berthing and unberthing of vessels, underscoring the critical importance of stable tugboat services. Under the Indian government-backed Green Tug Transition Program, a plan is underway to gradually transition all tugboats operating at major ports to environmentally friendly “Green Tugs” by 2040, marking a significant turning point for the tugboat industry.
MOL has operated its tugboat business in Japan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam to support the safe berthing and unberthing of
vessels in those areas. Moving forward, it will leverage SCI’s network within India, along with its own accumulated expertise
and technology in safe operations and alternative fuel-powered vessels, to expand its tugboat services in this vital region,
while reducing GHG emissions from ports.
