GAIL (India) Limited, India’s Maharatna public sector undertaking in the natural gas sector, has entered into a long-term charter agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL), Tokyo, for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier named “GAIL BHUWAN.” The agreement was formally signed on 27 January 2026 during India Energy Week 2026 held in Goa, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s LNG shipping and energy logistics capabilities.
The charter agreement was signed by Shri S. Bairagi, Executive Director (International Shipping & LNG), GAIL, and Mr. Hisashi Umemura, Director General, Headquarters of Energy Business, MOL. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Chairman & Managing Director of GAIL, functional directors of GAIL, and senior dignitaries from MOL, underlining the strategic importance of the partnership.
GAIL and MOL share a long-standing business relationship, and this latest collaboration further deepens cooperation in LNG transportation and maritime energy logistics. The agreement has been executed between GAIL (India) Limited and LNG Japonica Shipping Corporation Limited, a joint venture in which GAIL holds a 26% stake and MOL holds 74%. The partnership leverages MOL’s proven expertise in LNG shipping, backed by high standards of safety, quality, and operational reliability.
This long-term charter aligns closely with India’s ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, reinforcing the country’s maritime infrastructure and ensuring resilience in the energy supply chain. The induction of “GAIL BHUWAN” into GAIL’s LNG fleet is expected to enhance supply security and support India’s growing natural gas demand, which continues to rise alongside economic growth and energy transition goals.
Both GAIL and MOL have set ambitious net zero emission targets, and the agreement contributes toward building a low-carbon and decarbonized society. By strengthening LNG shipping capabilities and optimizing logistics, the partnership supports cleaner fuel adoption and more efficient energy transportation.
GAIL (India) Limited remains India’s leading natural gas company with a diversified presence across the entire gas value chain, including trading, transmission, LPG production and transmission, LNG shipping, LNG re-gasification, petrochemicals, city gas distribution, and exploration and production. The company owns and operates over 18,001 km of natural gas pipelines across the country and manages a large, diversified LNG portfolio to ensure long-term supply security. As part of its logistics integration strategy, GAIL has built the largest LNG fleet in India, reinforcing uninterrupted LNG availability for domestic markets.
MOL, under its group management plan “BLUE ACTION 2035,” has identified Asia as a key growth region, with India playing a central role due to its strong economic momentum. Through continued expansion of its energy business and deeper collaboration with GAIL, the MOL Group aims to contribute to India’s transport and logistics infrastructure, supporting stable and reliable energy supplies, particularly in natural gas.