Shipping Secretary reviews India’s first hydrogen fuel cell vessel at Varanasi

In a milestone for India’s inland water transport sector, the Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, inspected the nation’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered inland vessel in Varanasi today. The inspection was attended by senior officials of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), which built the vessel.

Constructed under IWAI’s green transport initiative, the vessel is set to begin operations on the Ganga in Varanasi shortly. Equipped with advanced fuel cell technology, it promises zero-emission operations, marking a significant shift from conventional diesel-powered vessels and reinforcing India’s push for sustainable, clean energy-driven transport solutions.

The Shipping Secretary noted that the project will act as a demonstration model for green inland waterways, paving the way for wider adoption of hydrogen-based mobility across the country.

Cochin Shipyard Limited, India’s largest shipbuilding and repair yard, has pioneered the development of the vessel, positioning it as a benchmark for sustainable shipping in the region.

The launch aligns with IWAI’s efforts to enhance the efficiency of National Waterway-1 (Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly system) and promote multi-modal transport. With hydrogen fuel cell technology entering service, inland waterways are poised to become a key driver of India’s green mobility transition.