India gets first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday (Feb. 28) launched the country's first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel under the Harit Nauka initiative in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi.

Crafted by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., the indigenously built vessel is a result of collaboration between the Indian Register of Shipping, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, KPIT, and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India.

This a gift of the people of Tamil Nadu for Kashi, PM Modi said in his address.

The zero-emissions vessel is expected to be deployed in Varanasi shortly. The 24-meter-long, catamaran vessel can ferry 50 passengers and aims to reduce carbon emissions by 400 MT annually. The newly launched vessel is expected to make urban mobility swifter and serve as a pioneering example of sustainable waterway travel in the country.

During his visit to Thoothukudi, PM Modi inaugurated various other projects aimed at making the V.O.Chidambaranar Port the first Green Hydrogen Hub Port of the country. These projects include a desalination plant, hydrogen production, and a bunkering facility.

"Tamil Nadu will go a long way about the alternatives that the world is exploring today", he said. 

The "Harit Nauka" Inland Vessels Green Transition Guidelines aim at completing the transition to green vessels by 2047 in India. Furthermore, it aims to create an ecosystem for the operation of green vessels, promote the "Make in India" policy in shipbuilding, and enable financial assistance for the development of green vessels.