Cochin Shipyard to Build Country's First Indigenous Hydrogen-Powered Electric Vessel

Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will commission Cochin Shipyard Limited to construct the first indigenous hydrogen-powered electric vessels (CSL). Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement while unveiling the government's plan for building vessels to keep up with global maritime green transitions at a workshop on green shipping hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with CSL and The Energy and Resources Institute on Saturday.

Fuel Cell Electric Vessel (FCEV), a hydrogen fuel cell vessel based on Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (LT-PEM), is expected to cost around Rs 17.50 crore, with the government funding 75% of the cost, according to the Minister.

Cochin Shipyard Limited, in collaboration with Indian partners, would carry out the project. The groundwork for such vessels has already begun, with CSL collaborating with KPIT Technologies Limited and Indian developers in the areas of hydrogen fuel cells, power trains, and the Indian Register of Shipping to develop rules and regulations.

The move is part of India's transformative efforts in green energy, sustainable cost-effective alternate fuels, and innovative and new technology.

Hydrogen fuel cells have numerous applications, including transportation, material handling, stationary, portable, and emergency backup power. Fuel cells powered by hydrogen are an efficient, environmentally friendly, zero-emission direct current (DC) power source that is currently being developed for marine applications.

The development of hydrogen-powered electric vessels is viewed as a springboard for the country to capitalize on the vast opportunities in the coastal and inland vessel segments, both nationally and internationally, according to the Minister.

The project is expected to support the country's efforts to meet the Prime Minister's ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2070, as well as to meet the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which calls for a reduction in the carbon intensity of international shipping of at least 40% by 2030 and gradually increasing to 70% by 2050.