The largest shipbuilding and repair facility in India, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has begun building the first domestic hydrogen fuel cell vessel.

As stated, on March 30, construction started at the company’s yard. To complete the project, CSL teamed up with KPTI Technologies, an Indian multinational business that offers embedded software and product engineering services, and Indian Registry of Shipping (IRS).

Moreover, CSL disclosed that the project is largely funded by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. According to the Indian shipbuilding industry, this vessel will help India gain ground as one of the pioneers in this specialised field and cutting-edge technology on the international stage.

The shipyard announced that it would construct India’s first fuel cell ferry in November 2022. After undergoing numerous tests in Kochi, the vessel will be put into service in Varanasi.