India’s logistics landscape is poised for a significant shift as Tokyo-headquartered Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a global shipping leader, prepares to diversify its operations beyond maritime transport. The company has confirmed plans to enter the country’s rail logistics sector, with discussions underway for a potential joint venture with a local partner.
Officials from the company indicated that announcements regarding this move could come by the end of the current year or early next year. The strategy reflects a growing trend among international shipping firms to move towards integrated end-to-end logistics solutions rather than relying solely on port and shipping operations. MOL’s approach is to collaborate with an Indian player that brings strong local expertise to the table, while the Japanese major contributes its global know-how and operational scale. Such partnerships are expected to deliver efficient and customer-centric transport solutions, aligning with India’s growing demand for sustainable, multimodal logistics infrastructure.
The company has previously experimented with land-based transport in India, notably through a small-scale car-carrying service in Chennai that supported export operations. However, the upcoming foray into rail logistics signals a broader ambition to capture a share of India’s expanding inland freight market. In addition, MOL is preparing to introduce cold chain logistics solutions, addressing a critical gap in India’s food and pharmaceutical supply chains. Industry experts point out that MOL is not the first international shipping major to expand in this direction. Dubai-based DP World has already established itself as a complete logistics operator in India, extending its services from terminal operations to rail freight and inland container movement. MOL’s entry, therefore, marks another important step in global players recognising the scale and opportunity of India’s logistics transformation.
Beyond transport, the company is also investing in India’s start-up ecosystem through its corporate venture capital arm, MOL Plus. The fund is expected to take minority stakes in three to four Indian start-ups with a focus on logistics innovation, sustainability, and technology-driven efficiency. Officials emphasised that these investments are not just financial but are also aimed at mentoring young companies and introducing them to international best practices. Currently, MOL operates a fleet of 13 Indian-flagged ships, registered across Mumbai and Gandhinagar. Its deepening engagement with India reflects a long-term vision of contributing to the nation’s maritime and logistics growth while aligning with global shifts towards greener, more sustainable transport solutions.
As India accelerates infrastructure development and aims for a lower-carbon future, MOL’s integrated expansion into rail, cold chain, and digital logistics could play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s next phase of supply chain resilience.
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