India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel in Varanasi

In a landmark move toward green and sustainable inland water transport, India launched its first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
The vessel, flagged off by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, marks a new era in India’s transition to eco-friendly, self-reliant, and clean maritime mobility.

This achievement demonstrates India’s growing capability in developing advanced green maritime technologies aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

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India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel in Varanasi

About the Vessel: Indigenous, Eco-Friendly & Technologically Advanced

Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) and owned by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), this is the first Indian vessel powered by hydrogen fuel cell propulsion — a system that converts hydrogen into electricity, emitting only water as the byproduct.

Key Features of the Hydrogen Vessel:

Design: 24-meter catamaran for maximum stability
Passenger Capacity: 50 (fully air-conditioned cabin)
Speed: 6.5 knots
Operational Duration: Up to 8 hours per hydrogen fill
Power Source: Hybrid system (Hydrogen fuel cell + Battery + Solar)
Pollution Level: Zero emissions – no smoke, no noise, only water vapour
Certification: Indian Register of Shipping

With this innovation, Varanasi becomes one of the first cities globally to deploy hydrogen-powered passenger transport, setting an example for sustainable mobility worldwide.

Pilot Deployment and Safety Framework

To ensure safe and efficient operations, a tripartite agreement was signed between IWAI, Cochin Shipyard Ltd., and Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd.
This agreement covers:

Technical oversight
Safety procedures
Financial and operational frameworks
Monitoring and inspection mechanisms

The pilot project, named FCV Pilot-01, will gather data for scaling hydrogen-based vessels across India’s inland waterways.

Benefits for Varanasi and Inland Water Transport

The hydrogen vessel brings multiple benefits for passengers, the environment, and the local economy:

Passenger & Environmental Advantages:

Zero-emission travel along the River Ganga
Noise-free commute, ideal for pilgrims and daily travelers
Reduced road congestion by shifting mobility to waterways
Boost to tourism with clean, modern, and comfortable transport

This initiative strengthens Varanasi’s identity as a smart and sustainable river city, embracing future-ready green technologies.

Maiden Commercial Run: Namo Ghat → Lalita Ghat

The vessel’s first commercial journey covered a 5 km route between Namo Ghat and Lalita Ghat in Varanasi.
The event was attended by:

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
Ravindra Jaiswal, MoS
UP Ministers: Dayashankar Singh & Dr. Daya Shankar Mishra
Mayor of Varanasi, senior IAS officers, and IWAI officials

This launch showcased India’s technological readiness to use hydrogen fuel in real-world public transport applications.

A Key Pillar of Maritime India Vision 2030 & Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

The project is a major step toward India’s decarbonization goals and sustainable waterway development.
Under Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, IWAI aims to:

Introduce hydrogen, hybrid, and electric vessels
Modernize river-based transport systems
Build a climate-resilient maritime ecosystem
Promote green innovation and self-reliance in the maritime industry

This initiative complements India’s larger clean energy mission and supports the global shift toward carbon-neutral transportation.

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

Event: Launch of India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vessel
Date: 2025 (exact date not specified)
Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Launched By: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
Built By: Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL)
Owner: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Fuel Type: Hydrogen (Low Temperature PEM Fuel Cell System)
Design Type: 24-meter catamaran
Capacity: 50 passengers
Speed: 6.5 knots
Run Duration: 8 hours per hydrogen fill
Pollution: Zero (emits only water vapour)
Pilot Route: Namo Ghat → Lalita Ghat (5 km)
Vision Alignment: Maritime India Vision 2030 & Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

Question & Answer

Q1. Where was India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel launched?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Kochi
(c) Varanasi
(d) Visakhapatnam
Answer: Varanasi

Q2. Who flagged off India’s first hydrogen fuel cell vessel?
(a) Nitin Gadkari
(b) Sarbananda Sonowal
(c) Ashwini Vaishnaw
(d) Dharmendra Pradhan
Answer: Sarbananda Sonowal

Q3. Which organization built India’s first hydrogen fuel cell vessel?
(a) Garden Reach Shipbuilders
(b) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
(c) Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
(d) Hindustan Shipyard Ltd.
Answer: Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

Q4. Which authority owns the hydrogen-powered vessel?
(a) Indian Ports Association
(b) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
(c) Shipping Corporation of India
(d) Directorate General of Shipping
Answer: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

Q5. What is the power system used in the vessel?
(a) Diesel-electric hybrid
(b) Hydrogen fuel cell + Battery + Solar hybrid
(c) LNG dual-fuel system
(d) Biofuel-based propulsion
Answer: Hydrogen fuel cell + Battery + Solar hybrid

Q6. Under which long-term vision does this hydrogen vessel project fall?
(a) Digital India Vision 2025
(b) Maritime India Vision 2030 & Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
(c) Make in India Mission 2025
(d) National Maritime Policy 2022
Answer: Maritime India Vision 2030 & Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

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