India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel: A New Era in Green Shipping

India has marked a significant milestone on the path to sustainable maritime technology by introducing its first-ever indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell vessel. The pioneering creation is a major turning point in the transition to green shipping and in cutting the carbon emissions in the country's rivers and lakes. The module under which the vessel was created is the national Green Hydrogen Mission. With the use of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology, the vessel can generate the required power through a friendly electrochemical reaction, and only water is produced as a byproduct. The event is a testament to India's determination towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in clean energy innovation.

 

Market Statics

• The Maritime India Vision 2030 includes over 150 projects with expected investments of Rs 3–3.5 lakh crore, having an earlier shipbuilding package of Rs 69,725 crore.

 

• Maritime routes represent about 95% of India's trade by volume and roughly 70% by value, underlining the industry's significance to the nation's financial system and competitiveness.

 

• Major seaports handled about 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024–2025, indicating strong development in maritime trade and port efficiency.

 

• India introduced a massive Rs 1.85 lakh crore NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub project, aiming to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, which would account for about 10% of the global market.

 

• Incentives unveiled by the government, such as incentives of Rs 4,440 crore [USD 535 million] with 15 enterprises, have been granted a combined manufacturing capacity of 3,000MW annually under the electrolyser manufacturing incentive plan.

 

• India's clean energy ecosystem by offering up to Rs 5 crore in funding support for green hydrogen R&D start-ups, out of a total of Rs 100 crore.

 

• India’s Union Cabinet has approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, aiming to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export.

 

 

What is meant by a Hydrogen fuel cell?

A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that generates electricity as a byproduct of the conversion process of oxygen and hydrogen into water. This device is what prevents the battery from running out, as it continually pumps chemicals into the cell. It is frequently utilised in automobiles, power plants, and backup energy sources as a clean, effective substitute for combustion-based energy systems. Hydrogen fuel cells present a spectrum of benefits, including the fact that they emit absolutely no carbon emissions, as the only byproduct is water vapour. They function silently, having fewer moving parts than combustion engines, and are highly scalable, able to power everything from small gadgets to large power stations. Apart from that, they also contribute to energy security since hydrogen can be generated from various sources like water electrolysis, biomass, fossil fuels, and renewable energy.

 

Why does this type of vessel need to be in the shipping industry?

India has locally developed and launched its first hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel in Varanasi to promote green inland water transport, lower carbon emissions, and contribute to the net-zero targets by 2070. This zero-emission catamaran uses a fuel cell, which is a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane device and emits only water; thus, it is in line with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Inland Waterways Authority of India have developed it using fully domestic technology, which is a fine example of self-reliance, clean mobility scalability, reduction of logistics costs, and India being ranked among the global leaders in hydrogen maritime innovation, thereby facilitating the growth of the blue economy.

 

Ship Outlook:

India debuts in a new era of clean water transport with its maiden indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel. This 24-meter catamaran is tailored for the Ganga River's zero-emission operations in Varanasi. The heart of its propulsion is a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT, PEM) fuel cell system that takes the stored hydrogen and oxygen from air and converts them into electricity, releasing only water vapour as the byproduct. Besides that, the vessel features a hybrid setup that integrates fuel cells, onboard batteries, and solar panels to ensure a steady power supply and improve the overall system efficiency. The vessel is fully air, conditioned and can carry 50 people with comfortable seating. Its service speed is 6.5, 9 knots (12, 20 km/h), and it can run for up to eight hours on a single hydrogen fill from four onboard cylinders. After meeting all safety requirements, the Indian Register of Shipping has certified the ship. It aids the urban transit system with a low draft suitable for shallow waterways, is operated by 10 crew members.

 

Key Residential Market Players:

• Athena Technology
• FC TecNrgy
• Greenfuel Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd
• GreenHydrogenIndia (Hydrogen Gentech)
• H2 Carbon Zero
• Hild Electric
• HYGENCO (The Hydrogen Company)
• JN Sciencetech
• NTPC Renewable Energy Limited
• Prayogik Technologies

 

The Government Road Map for such Programs:

India is turning into one of the world's top hydrogen leaders quite fast. One can attribute this rise to the country's ambitious national policies, a lot of public and private investments, and India's firm commitment to decarbonization. India is planning to be the main hub for the production, consumption, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. India has set a landmark example for sustainable transport by introducing its very first indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell vessel in Varanasi. The event, which included the launch ceremony, was overseen by the Union Ministry, and the project is a manifestation of the government's vision to modernise Inland Waterways and promote eco-friendly mobility. In short, the IWAI, along with the Central Government, has been working towards the expansion of the navigational routes, upgradation of terminals, and has also commenced passenger and cargo services to reduce logistics costs and increase accessibility. This environmentally friendly vessel resonates with the national plans, such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. This project is the first step towards an ocean of hydrogen, fueled ships, thus enabling India to grow its blue economy and still rise as a champion against climate change.

 

Industrial Growth handshakes:

In September 2025, Oswal Energies announced a Rs 320 crore investment in green hydrogen infrastructure, focusing on production, storage, and transportation, with a 20 MW plant planned in Gujarat. The concept proposes the construction of a 20 MW green hydrogen facility in Gujarat within the next 12 to 15 months.

 

In July 2023, SFC Energy officially began production of hydrogen fuel cells in India, establishing a new manufacturing facility in New Delhi/Gurgaon in partnership with FC TecNrgy Pvt Ltd. In just six months, the production facility was constructed and turned over in collaboration with its Indian partner, FCTecNrgy.

 

Spherical Insights and Consulting Prospects for the following Industry, The Worldwide Hydrogen Fuel Cell Market Size, which accounts for 2.97 billion USD in 2023, is growing rapidly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.3% until 2033. According to Spherical Insights & Consulting, the market size is expected to reach 18.9 billion USD by the end of the forecast period. This impressive increase is consistent with the rising demand for clean energy solutions in the areas of transportation, power generation, and industrial applications, due to the global decarbonization efforts. It is worth mentioning that the Asia Pacific region will be the one to dominate such an expansion, as it will be driven by the combination of aggressive government incentives, investments in infrastructure, the Green Hydrogen Mission, a national-level module, and the adoption in countries such as India, Japan, and South Korea.

 

India achieved an important milestone toward environmentally sustainable maritime technology with the launch of the country's first indigenously built hydrogen fuel cell vessel. This is a significant moment in the switch to green shipping and in lessening carbon emissions in Indian rivers and lakes.

 

About the Spherical Insights & Consulting

Spherical Insights & Consulting is a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI.

Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements. 

 

CONTACT US:

For More Information on Your Target Market, Please Contact Us Below:    

Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.)

Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC)

Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com, sales@sphericalinsights.com

Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter