In a groundbreaking achievement for India’s maritime and inland waterway transport sectors, the country’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel has been unveiled, marking a significant step toward sustainable and self-reliant transport technologies. Union Minister of Science and Technology and Vice President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Jitendra Singh, hailed this initiative as a success story born from the collaborative efforts of India’s public and private sectors, reflecting the nation’s progress under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, incorporates a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, a global technology company. This innovative technology was made possible through foundational research and development spearheaded by CSIR. Dr Singh explained that this vessel represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort and could pave the way for hydrogen-powered larger sea vessels and ships in the future.
During a high-level meeting convened to review CSIR’s ongoing initiatives and achievements, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the critical role of indigenous technology in achieving self-reliance in science and innovation. The meeting, attended by all Heads of CSIR Directorates, as well as key financial and administrative officers, provided a platform for discussing CSIR’s contributions to India’s technological advancements.
Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, presented an in-depth overview of the council’s research activities, technological breakthroughs, and partnerships with industry. In particular, the discussion showcased the impact of the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), India’s largest publicly funded R&D program designed to foster innovation in the public-private sphere. Dr Jitendra Singh praised this initiative, describing it as a unique example of collaborative innovation that unites top research institutions, industry leaders, and cutting-edge laboratories.
Among the recent successes under the NMITLI program, the commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers stood out as a milestone in India’s instrumentation capabilities. This indigenous technology, developed by CSIR’s Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute in collaboration with TechnoS Instruments, has gained traction across the country, further solidifying India’s position in the global scientific community.
Another major breakthrough lauded during the meeting was the development of low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems, a critical component of the hydrogen fuel vessel project. This achievement was realized through the collaborative efforts of KPIT, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute. The expertise gained through this program has broad applications across marine, defense, and automotive sectors. The successful launch of the hydrogen fuel cell-driven vessel at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu under the Harit Nauka initiative is a testament to these efforts.
Dr Jitendra Singh commended these technological strides as prime examples of CSIR’s role in driving India’s technology-led growth. He emphasized the importance of strengthening industry linkages and scaling up innovations to achieve societal impact. Encouraging the council to pursue bold research and development initiatives aligned with national priorities, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence.
As India continues to make significant advancements in green technology, the hydrogen fuel sea vessel stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative innovation and the nation’s resolve to lead in sustainable development. This achievement underscores CSIR’s pivotal role in shaping India’s scientific future and driving its self-reliance in critical technology areas.
