KOCHI: The ‘future fuel’ is here! The first-ever green hydrogen ferry in the country, built by the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, has received the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) approval, paving the way for the deployment of the 50-passenger capacity vessel that boasts of zero pollution, in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. It has completed the six-month trial runs in Varanasi.
The news is significant as the Kochi Water Metro, which currently uses electric-hybrid passenger ferries manufactured by the CSL, has ambitious plans to shift to the zero-emission green hydrogen fuel in future.
“The shift to green hydrogen vessels is now under active consideration and discussions are progressing with the Cochin Shipyard. While we decided against hydrogen ferries initially due to their huge operating cost and difficulty in sourcing, discussions have now been revived, with ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology) extending a subsidy scheme as well,” said a source with Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.
When the green hydrogen proposal was first made two years ago, the cost of the ‘future fuel’, considered a potential replacement for fossil-based ones, was `960/kg. Industry sources said this has now more than halved. “Reliance has commissioned a pilot hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) in Jamnagar. The cost of hydrogen comes to Rs 360/kg,” a source said.
Another positive development is the availability of hydrogen fuel in Kochi, as a green hydrogen plant and fuelling station, the first in south India, is coming up near Kochi airport at Nedumbassery. It is jointly developed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL). While BPCL is entrusted with the building and operation of the 1,000-kW plant, CIAL contributes land, water and green energy resources. The plant will have a capacity to produce 80 kg of green hydrogen daily.
Water, heat by-products
With the indigenous vessel receiving IRS clearance, it is set to start operations in the Kashi-Prayagraj section. The ferry, utilising a hydrogen fuel cell powered battery system, runs on Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (LT-PEM).
“By implementing the technology, the only by-products will be water and heat. The vessel can operate at a speed of 6.5 knots. Its operation is silent and, since there are no moving parts, maintenance requirement is low. The use of hydrogen as a fuel source eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, making the vessel a model for green and sustainable maritime transportation,” a CSL official said.
The vessel has five hydrogen cylinders carrying 40 kg of hydrogen, supporting eight hours of operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged it off on February 28, 2024. “The hydrogen boat has the same design as that of the water metro ferries. We lowered the battery capacity and installed a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity,” the official added.
CSL is also constructing two Sea Shuttle Feeder Container Vessels running on green hydrogen. In zero emission mode, each vessel is expected to achieve around 25,000 tons of CO2 reduction per year.
50-passenger capacity
The 50-passenger capacity vessel is set to start operations in the Kashi-Prayagraj section
Utilising a hydrogen fuel cell powered battery system, it runs on Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Technology (LT-PEM)
The vessel has five hydrogen cylinders carrying 40 kg of hydrogen, supporting eight hours of operation
