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The Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and India's Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) signed an MoU earlier this week to collaborate on tugboat operations in India. The partnership aims to meet rising tug-service demand amid container throughput growth of around 6-8 % and energy cargo growth of 3-5 % annually. It is also aligned with India's low-emission initiative under the Green Tug Transition Programme that seeks to convert major-port tugs to "green" status by 2040. MOL will bring its expertise in safe port operations and alternative fuels, while SCI provides local infrastructure and port-network presence.
MOL and SCI have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this week to collaborate on tugboat operations across India. The deal was formalised during the India Maritime Week event in Mumbai. The partnership is designed to support the growing demand for tug services at Indian ports, as container cargo is projected to increase annually by about 6-8 per cent and energy cargo by about 3-5 per cent in the coming decade. Advertisement
India's ports anticipate a rise in vessel traffic, which means more berthing and un-berthing operations, and consequently a greater number of tugboats will be needed. The collaboration aligns with the government's Green Tug Transition Programme, which aims to convert all tugboats at major ports into low-emission "green tugs" by 2040. The initiative is part of broader efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions from port operations.
MOL, which currently runs tugboat businesses in Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam, will apply its experience in safe port operations and alternative fuel technology in this partnership. SCI brings to the table its domestic service network and knowledge of Indian port systems. According to MOL, the cooperation will help ensure safer handling of vessels at ports and contribute to reducing emissions from port operations.
In addition, this partnership is noteworthy because earlier efforts to modernise Indian port operations have emphasised capacity expansion, logistics efficiency and environmental sustainability. This deal builds on that trend by directly addressing tugboat operations, a critical but often overlooked part of port logistics and vessel turnaround. The focus on green tugs underscores how emission-reduction is being integrated into port support services, not just cargo handling or ship design.
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