India’s First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel Begins Commercial Service in Varanasi

India has officially launched its first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel, marking a major milestone in the country’s green maritime journey. Here are the key details:

About the Vessel
- Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi (on the Ganga, National Waterway‑1).
- Design: A 24‑meter catamaran built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL).
- Capacity: 50 passengers in a fully air‑conditioned cabin.

Technology:
- Powered by a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system.
- Hybrid energy mix: hydrogen fuel cells + batteries + solar power.
- Zero emissions — only water as a byproduct.

Performance:
- Service speed: 6.5–9 knots.
- Up to 8 hours of operation on a single hydrogen fill.
- Certified by the Indian Register of Shipping.

Significance
- Net‑Zero Push: Supports India’s commitment to achieve net‑zero emissions by 2070.
- Innovation: First demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion in India’s maritime sector.

Benefits:
- Noise‑free, smoke‑free, and pollution‑free travel.
- Reduced road congestion by shifting mobility to waterways.
- Boosts local tourism and job opportunities.
- Positions Varanasi among the world’s first cities to adopt hydrogen‑powered passenger transport.

Leadership & Vision
- Flagged off by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
- Seen as a showcase of “Make in India” innovation and ecological responsibility under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Partnerships
- Owned by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- Operated under a tripartite agreement between IWAI, CSL, and Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd.
- Agreement covers technical support, safety procedures, monitoring, and periodic inspections.

This maiden voyage — a 5 km trip from Namo Ghat to Lalita Ghat — signals the start of commercial operations for hydrogen‑powered passenger transport in India.