PM Modi flags off India’s First indigenous Hydrogen Fuel cell Vessel Catamaran

India's first indigenously designed and built hydrogen fuel cell-powered passenger Catamaran was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, 2024, in Cochin. This catamaran is a zero-emission ship that demonstrates India's prowess in state-of-the-art sustainable marine technologies.

 The vessel was built and tested by the Cochin Shipyard Yard in collaboration with multiple partners. The drive train of the catamaran including the hydrogen fuel cell was built by Pune-based KPIT Ltd. The fuel cell technology was developed and demonstrated under the CSIR-NMITLI Industry Originated Program, in which KPIT collaborated with CSIR-NCL and CSIR-CECRI to successfully demonstrate Low-Temperature PEM fuel cell technology. NIMITLI is a unique initiative promoting industry collaboration with R&D labs and academic institutions to develop globally benchmarked yet affordable indigenous technologies.

 The initial know-how and experience in fuel cells developed by the CSIR labs have been enhanced and engineered by KPIT for Marine, Defense, and Automotive applications. The launch of the project is expected to give an impetus to the country’s push for using hydrogen in marine applications as envisaged under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.