Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is proposing a strategic partnership with Indian firms to build tankers, aiming to enhance India’s maritime capabilities and local manufacturing. This move aligns with India’s efforts to modernize maritime laws and reduce dependency on foreign firms, supported by a $2.84 billion maritime development fund announced in the February budget. By 2047, India plans to cut freight costs by a third, addressing its shipping capacity challenges amidst growing trade. This partnership signifies a crucial step towards self-reliance in the maritime sector, strengthening India-Japan ties and contributing to India’s ambition of becoming a leading manufacturing nation.