New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is in talks with the Indian government to build ships in partnership with local yards.

The company operates 13 ships of different sizes and categories in India, and is the fourth largest fleet operator in the country. It aspires to become the second-largest fleet operator, Anand Jayaraman, MOL (India) South Asia Middle East Region executive officer, said.

"Aligning with the government of India's push, we are discussing with the government to build ships in India...Shipbuilding is a high capital-intensive business. We will work with shipyards," he told reporters in New Delhi.

He added that MOL is a ship-owning company and will collaborate with shipyards in India f...