In a strategic move targeting the offshore energy sector, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. have jointly acquired core infrastructure assets in Scotland, including the terminal operations at the Port of Nigg, a steel processing plant, and machinery and equipment manufacturing facilities that serve the fast-growing U.K. offshore wind, oil, and gas industries.
The deal sees both Japanese giants purchasing these assets from GEG (Holdings) Limited, a Scotland-based company that operates yards and quays across the region. Post-acquisition, the businesses will be managed by Global Energy Service Holding Limited (GESH), headquartered in Scotland, with Mitsui & Co. taking a 51% majority stake and MOL holding the remaining 49%.
This acquisition is not an isolated move—it reflects a long-term bet on the U.K.’s transition toward renewable energy. In fact, Mitsui & Co. has been involved with GEG since 2012, holding a 25.5% stake and helping expand its service offering to align with shifting energy demands.
The Port of Nigg sits near the North Sea, which is currently the world’s largest offshore wind development zone. This makes it a pivotal location as the U.K. accelerates its efforts to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. And with plans for both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind farms ramping up, demand for heavy equipment handling, steel fabrication, and offshore-ready logistics is projected to rise steadily.
By combining MOL’s shipping and port operations expertise with Mitsui & Co.’s extensive industrial network, the two firms aim to build out a fully integrated supply chain for offshore energy projects. This includes everything from intra-port cargo movement and heavy-lift transport to steel component processing and on-site equipment manufacturing.
Takeshi Hashimoto, President & CEO of MOL, has identified offshore wind power as a core focus under the group’s “BLUE ACTION 2035” strategy. This acquisition feeds directly into that plan, allowing the company to enhance its marine transport services while supporting broader global decarbonization goals.
The deal also strengthens MOL’s position in Europe, with the Port of Nigg now seen as a cornerstone in its offshore logistics network. Kenichi Hori, President of Mitsui & Co., emphasized the industrial synergy between the port, steel, and manufacturing services, noting their central role in driving energy transition efforts across the U.K. and Europe.
The infrastructure acquired includes multiple quays, fabrication yards, and machinery workshops equipped to support offshore construction, maintenance, and heavy cargo logistics. These assets will be crucial in servicing new and ongoing offshore wind projects, particularly those located in the deeper and more challenging waters targeted by floating turbine developers.
As part of the broader MOL Group Sustainability Plan, this investment is also intended to support key focus areas such as marine environmental conservation and technological innovation. Executives from both companies believe this cross-sector integration of logistics and manufacturing will help stabilize and streamline offshore energy supply chains, at a time when demand for renewables is scaling rapidly.
Meanwhile, Global Energy Service Holding Limited (GESH) will oversee daily operations across the acquired businesses, including heavy equipment storage, intra-port transport, fabrication, and repair services. Its team will play a central role in adapting the site’s operational capacity to meet future offshore wind demand curves.
With growing offshore wind targets across Europe and an increasing number of approved project sites in the North Sea, the Port of Nigg is poised to become a vital launchpad for offshore energy deployment in the coming decades.
