As part of the efforts to achieve green shipping, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday that the Cochin Shipyard will develop and build the first indigenous hydrogen fuel electric vessels.
The vessels would be built by Cochin Shipyard, according to the minister, who spoke at a workshop on Green Shipping hosted by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping at the Hotel Grand Hyatt in Kochi.
India’s decision is part of the country’s revolutionary initiatives in green energy and cost-effective alternative fuels. Transportation, material handling, fixed, portable, and emergency backup power applications are all possible applications for hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cells powered by hydrogen are a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly direct current (DC) power source that is currently being developed for maritime applications.
The project will be implemented by the Cochin Shipyard Limited in partnership with Indian partners, according to the minister, and the foundation for the project has already begun. The Cochin Shipyard has teamed up with Indian hydrogen fuel cell and power train firms, as well as the Indian Register of Shipping, to draft norms and regulations for such boats.
The fuel cell electric vessel (FCEV), which is based on low-temperature proton exchange membrane technology (LT-PEM), is projected to cost roughly Rs. 17.50 crores, with the Union Government funding 75 percent of the expenditure.
The development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vessels is seen as a springboard for the country to tap into the national and worldwide possibilities of the coastal and inland vessel segments. The initiative is projected to help the government meet the Prime Minister’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2070. It will also meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) guidelines, which call for a decrease in the carbon intensity of international shipping of at least 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.
India is strongly dedicated to a sustainable and clean environment, according to the minister. As a leading member of the International Solar Alliance, India had lobbied for the “One Sun – One World – One Grid” project, he said.
Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Dr. Vibha Dhavan, International Maritime Organization Global Partnerships & Projects head Jose Matheickal, Innovation Norway India country director Christian Valdes Carter, and Cochin Shipyard CMD Madhu S Nair spoke at the event.
