The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in India, at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, chose to develop and build India's first indigenous hydrogen-fueled electric vessels (CSL). The announcement has sparked the country's efforts to promote green shipping.

According to Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, The goal of building hydrogen-fueled electric vessels is to keep up with the Global Maritime Green Transitions.

He added, "The move is part of India’s transformative efforts on the innovative and new technology front on green energy, sustainable cost-effective alternate fuel front."

According to an official statement, Fuel Cell Electric Vessel (FCEV), a hydrogen fuel cell vessel based on Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (LT-PEM), is estimated to cost roughly Rs. 17.50 crores, with the government funding 75 per cent of the cost.

Transportation, material handling, fixed, portable, and emergency backup power applications are all possible applications for hydrogen fuel cells.

Fuel cells fueled by hydrogen are an efficient, environmentally friendly, zero-emission direct current (DC) power source that has already been used in heavy-duty bus, truck, and train applications and is now being developed for marine applications.

CSL has teamed up with KPIT Technologies Limited and Indian innovators in hydrogen fuel cells, powertrains, and the Indian Register of Shipping to create norms and regulations for such ships.

Source: The Economic Times