India To Build Its First Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vessels Indigenously

The Cochin Shipyard, or the CSL, will build the first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel to achieve targets of green shipping. On Saturday, the decision was declared by Sarbananda Sonowal, the country’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The decision is part of the country’s efforts on the sustainable, cost-effective, green energy, and alternative fuel front, Sonowal added during the Green Shipping workshop, organized by the Union Ministry.

Hydrogen fuel cells find their uses in several applications. These environment-friendly, efficient, and direct current power sources applied to heavy-duty buses, trucks, and train applications, are now being developed also for marine applications. The minister added that the CSL would implement the project in association with Indian partners, for which the groundwork has begun. The hydrogen fuel cell vessel is likely to cost about Rs 17.50 crore. Of this, about 75% is going to be funded by India’s Union government.

The development of the hydrogen fuel cell electric vessels is a launchpad for our country to tap inland and coastal vessels segment internationally and nationally.

The project will augment the efforts in achieving the target set by the PMs to make India a carbon-neutral nation by 2070. It will comply with standards predetermined by the International Maritime Organization, popular as IMO, which envisages a carbon intensity reduction from international shipping by about 40% by the end of 2030 and 70% by the end of 2050.

The minister said India is committed to a clean and sustainable environment. The country had launched the initiative dubbed ‘One Sun-One World-One Grid’ at the International Solar Alliance, as a lead player.

Reference: indiatimes.com