Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), the world’s second-largest shipping company by fleet size, is doubling down on India.
The 141-year-old Japanese shipping giant sees India as a key maritime growth hub and is rapidly expanding its presence with a three-pronged strategy focusing on regional empowerment, diversification, and decarbonisation.
In a bold move, MOL has empowered its India-based leadership under Captain Anand Jayaraman to drive strategic growth across the South Asia and Middle East region, while aggressively investing in long-term sustainability and business stability.
Key Developments:
- Empowered India Leadership: Captain Anand Jayaraman will spearhead regional growth with faster, decentralised decision-making to tap into India’s trade opportunities.
- Real Estate Diversification:
- MOL has invested ₹1,900 crore (~$230 million) in commercial real estate projects in Gurugram/b> and Chennai.
- Plans to expand further once current investments are stabilised.
- India-Focused Fleet Expansion:
- 13 MOL vessels have already been re-registered in India to support Indian energy companies.
- More ships will be added based on demand from both public and private energy players.
- Decarbonisation at Core:
- Focus on LNG-powered carriers that reduce emissions by 25%.
- Induction of dual-fuel ships capable of running on green ammonia and hydrogen.
- BLUE ACTION 2035 Strategy:
- Expansion into offshore assets, logistics, and commercial real estate.
- Under MOL Plus, the company is investing in logistics and maritime tech start-ups.
- Under MOL Switch, it’s scouting for clean-tech ventures to fast-track the sustainability roadmap.
“India is a very important market for us. It’s a big maritime nation — and we want to be a bigger part of that journey,” said Captain Jayaraman.
Why It Matters:
MOL’s India push signals growing global confidence in the country’s maritime potential — not just as a shipping corridor, but as a logistics, innovation, and sustainability hub.
As India builds out new ports and expands its green energy ambitions, expect global carriers like MOL to anchor deeper and stronger into this emerging powerhouse.