In a landmark development for India’s inland water transport sector, the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways inspected the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered inland vessel in Varanasi today. Senior officials from the IWAI Varanasi Regional Office and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the manufacturer of the vessel, were also present during the inspection.
The cutting-edge vessel, built by CSL under IWAI’s green transport initiative, is poised to soon commence operations on the Ganga at Varanasi. It marks a major step towards sustainable and eco-friendly navigation, aligning with India’s commitment to reducing emissions and promoting clean energy solutions in the maritime and logistics sectors.
The hydrogen-powered vessel is equipped with advanced fuel cell technology that enables it to operate with zero emissions, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional diesel-powered vessels. It is designed to provide safe and reliable services for inland water transport while showcasing the potential of alternative fuels in India’s shipping and logistics ecosystem.
During the inspection, the Secretary of IWAI emphasized that the project will serve as a demonstration model for green inland water transport and pave the way for wider adoption of hydrogen-based mobility solutions in India’s waterways.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, the country’s largest shipbuilding and repair yard, has played a pioneering role in developing this vessel, which is expected to set new benchmarks for sustainable shipping in India.
The vessel’s launch comes at a time when IWAI is actively working to enhance the efficiency of National Waterway-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system) and promote multi-modal transport in the region. With hydrogen fuel cell technology now being introduced, the inland waterway sector is on track to become a key driver of India’s green mobility transition.