India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel in Varanasi

On 11 December 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the commercial operation of the country’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell vessel at Namo Ghat in Varanasi.

• Varanasi has set a major milestone in India's sustainable inland water transport, as the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the commercial operation of the country’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell vessel at Namo Ghat on 11 December.
• India has now joined the list of countries such as China, Norway, the Netherlands, and Japan that operate hydrogen-powered vessels.
• In recent years, the Government of India and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have strengthened water-based communication, reduced logistics costs, expanded navigation channels, introduced modern terminals, and operationalized new passenger and cargo routes.
• These efforts align with long-term strategic frameworks such as Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047), which outline roadmaps for green transport, smart infrastructure, and increased use of alternative fuels on inland waterways.
• In the past decade, the number of national waterways has increased from five to 111. Cargo traffic on inland waterways has risen from 80 million tonnes in 2014 to over 145 million tonnes currently, while tourism activities are operational on 13 waterways.

India’s major National Waterways:

• NW-1 (National Waterway-1):
• Route: Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system from Prayagraj (Allahabad) to Haldia.
• Feature: India’s longest and most important waterway, passing through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• NW-2 (National Waterway-2):
• Route: Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri.
• Feature: Provides connectivity to Northeast India, especially Assam.
• NW-3 (National Waterway-3):
• Route: West Coast Canal from Kottapuram to Kollam, Champakara and Udyogmandal canals.
• Feature: Utilizes Kerala’s backwaters and tidal waterways, an important mode of transport in the state.
• NW-4 (National Waterway-4):
• Route: Krishna and Godavari river systems (including canals) from Kakinada to Puducherry.
• Feature: Promotes trade in South India, connecting Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled India’s first zero-emission electric tug project

• India has begun constructing its first fully electric green tug, which was flagged off by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
• This project supports clean port operations, promotes Make in India goals, and marks a major step in India’s green maritime transition.
• The new tug is being built under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) for the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla.
• The electric tug will come with modern technologies designed to reduce emissions and improve performance.
• In the first phase, 16 green tugs will be introduced between 2024 and 2027. DPA, Kandla is the first port to begin actual construction. Other major ports such as Paradip, JNPA, and VOC Port have also issued work orders.
• The new green tug for DPA will have a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, ensuring quiet operation, zero carbon emissions, and optimized energy efficiency. GTTP, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aims to include 50 green tugs by 2030.