India has taken a significant step in its green maritime transition with the launch of the country’s first fully indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel’s commercial operations at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The vessel is the first in India to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell propulsion in a maritime setting and is built entirely with indigenous technology. It runs on a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell system that converts stored hydrogen into electricity, emitting only water as a by-product. Sonowal said the launch reflects India’s commitment to clean, sustainable and self-reliant mobility under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described the vessel as a symbol of innovation, ecological responsibility and the nation’s resolve to build a greener maritime future. Owned by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), the vessel enters service after successful trial operations. Its rollout aligns with India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and supports the Ministry’s wider adoption of clean fuels across inland waterways. The hydrogen fuel cell vessel forms part of the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and the longer-term Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to modernise and decarbonise the country’s water transport ecosystem. Sonowal praised CSL for delivering the pioneering vessel and IWAI for bringing it into service following rigorous testing. Designed as a 24-metre catamaran for urban transit, the fully air-conditioned vessel can carry 50 passengers at a service speed of 6.5 knots. Its hybrid energy system combines hydrogen fuel cells, batteries and solar power, enabling up to eight hours of operation on a single hydrogen fill. It is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping. To operationalise the pilot vessel, FCV Pilot-01, IWAI has signed a tripartite agreement with Cochin Shipyard Ltd and Inland and Coastal Shipping Ltd outlining technical support, operations, safety procedures, financial terms and inspection mechanisms. The vessel brings several advantages to urban water mobility, including noise-free travel, zero smoke and zero pollution, with water as the only emission. It is expected to ease road congestion, support tourism and create employment opportunities, making Varanasi among the world’s earliest adopters of hydrogen-powered passenger transport. The maiden five-kilometre run from Namo Ghat to Lalita Ghat carried ministers and senior officials, marking the start of commercial operations on the Ganga (National Waterway 1). A distinguished lineup of leaders from the Union and Uttar Pradesh governments, including Ministers Ravindra Jaiswal, Dayashankar Singh and Dr Daya Shankar Mishra, joined Sonowal for the inaugural run, along with local MLAs and senior officials from MoPSW and IWAI. The deployment of this hydrogen vessel follows the introduction of hybrid electric catamarans and reinforces IWAI’s long-term plan to deliver a cleaner, more modern and energy-efficient inland water transport network.