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New Delhi, January 28, 2026 – GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna PSU, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL), Tokyo, have entered into a long-term charter agreement for an LNG carrier named “GAIL BHUWAN.” The signing ceremony took place on 27th January 2026 during India Energy Week 2026 in Goa. The agreement was signed by Shri S Bairagi, Executive Director (International Shipping & LNG), GAIL, and Mr. Hisashi Umemura, Director General, Headquarters of Energy Business, MOL, in the presence of GAIL’s CMD, functional directors, and dignitaries from MOL.
GAIL and MOL share a long-standing business partnership, and this collaboration further strengthens cooperation in LNG shipping and energy logistics. Relying on MOL’s proven track record in providing reliable transportation services, including high standards of safety and quality, this contract has been signed between GAIL (India) Limited and LNG Japonica Shipping Corporation Limited, a joint venture between GAIL (26%) and MOL (74%).
The agreement marks an important milestone under India’s “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,” reinforcing the country’s maritime and energy supply chain capabilities. Both GAIL and MOL have set ambitious net-zero emission targets, and this agreement contributes to the realization of a low- and decarbonized society.
GAIL (India) Limited is India’s leading natural gas company with diversified interests across the natural gas value chain, including trading, transmission, LPG production and transmission, LNG shipping and re-gasification, petrochemicals, city gas distribution, and exploration and production. The company owns and operates a network of over 18,001 km of natural gas pipelines across India. In the LNG segment, GAIL maintains a large and diversified portfolio to ensure long-term supply security and is among the top global LNG portfolio marketers. As part of its logistics integration strategy, GAIL has built the largest LNG fleet in India, strengthening the country’s maritime capabilities and ensuring uninterrupted LNG supply to meet growing domestic demand.
MOL has identified Asia as a key focus region in its group management plan “BLUE ACTION 2035,” expecting strong economic growth. In India, MOL has actively expanded its business presence and energy operations. Through this project and further partnership with GAIL, MOL will continue supporting transport and logistics infrastructure that meets the rapidly growing energy demand, including natural gas, contributing to a stable and reliable energy supply.