New Delhi, May 14 -- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), the Japanese shipping company that operates the world's second-largest fleet, plans to deepen its presence in India across energy transportation, automobile exports, logistics and maritime manpower and hire more Indian seafarers.

"India is attractive for us," Jotaro Tamura, president and chief executive officer of MOL, said in an exclusive interview with Mint during his first visit to India after assuming office earlier this year. "In our updated business plan, India is one of the priority targets."

Tamura said India has become strategically important in MOL's long-term "Blue Action" corporate growth strategy extending to 2035, particularly for the 2026-30 phase where the company plans to ...