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The launch marks the beginning of regular service for the 24-metre hydrogen-powered catamaran as part of efforts to modernize inland water transportation with clean energy solutions.
The ship was indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited as a pilot project under the Green Yachts initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It can carry 50 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin and is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system with battery technology that produces electricity with zero emissions, emitting only water and heat.
“This is not just technological progress, but a sign that we are moving confidently towards green energy and indigenous solutions,” Sonowal said. He said that with this launch, India has joined the group of countries operating hydrogen-powered ships.
A new era of green transportation on the Holy Ganga. On the launch of India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger ship in Varanasi. Watch Live! https://t.co/M1rWr9TGKy
– Sarbnand Sonowal (@sarbnandsonwal) 11 December 2025
Uttar Pradesh government officials and local representatives, including Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, Ministers of State Dayashankar Mishra and Ravindra Jaiswal, attended the ceremony. Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Mayor of Varanasi Municipal Corporation were also present.
The ministry statement described the launch as part of the ongoing modernization of India’s inland waterways under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a focus on cleaner transportation, better connectivity and lower logistics costs.
This Varanasi ship follows the first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell inland waterways ship launched in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. That ship was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the same green yacht initiative and was built using hydrogen fuel cell technology developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited in collaboration with industry and research partners.
The development of hydrogen fuel cell systems is based on work supported under the NMITLI program of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, in which KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute to produce low-temperature PEM fuel cells applicable for marine use.