Varanasi is set to experience country’s first green hydrogen‑powered ferry, designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), after receiving clearance from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), as per a The New Indian Express report.
The 50 passenger vessel, which recently completed six months of trial runs, will soon begin service along the Kashi–Prayagraj stretch of the Ganga.
Unlike conventional diesel ferries, this craft is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell battery system using Low‑Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (LT‑PEM).
“By implementing the technology, the only by-products will be water and heat. The vessel can operate at a speed of 6.5 knots. Its operation is silent and, since there are no moving parts, maintenance requirement is low. The use of hydrogen as a fuel source eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, making the vessel a model for green and sustainable maritime transportation,” a CSL official was quoted as saying.
The ferry is equipped with five hydrogen cylinders holding 40 kg of fuel, sufficient for eight hours of continuous operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the vessel on 28 February 2024, signalling India’s commitment to adopting zero‑emission transport solutions.
Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water using renewable energy, is hailed as the “fuel of the future” for its potential to replace fossil fuels.
Once prohibitively expensive at around Rs 960 per kilo, prices have since fallen sharply, making deployment more feasible.
While Kochi already operates electric‑hybrid ferries under its Water Metro project, the addition of hydrogen vessels could further cut emissions.
Supporting infrastructure is also taking shape, with a green hydrogen plant and refuelling station being developed near Kochi airport by BPCL and CIAL.
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