India embarks on indigenous green hydrogen shipbuilding mission

In a major step for sustainable maritime transportation, India launched the construction of the first green hydrogen -backed ships, unity port, transportation and waterways Sumananda Sonowal announced in a written response in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025.

The answer came after Shivanath asking a question about the development of hydrogen -based ships.

The Union Minister announced that Cochin Shipyard Limited and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited have currently building a ship and have been strengthened by hydrogen fuel cells developed using completely domestic technology.

He said that these efforts are compatible with the government’s wider vision to promote environmentally friendly fuel alternatives and to reduce pollution in maritime transport.

To support the green transition, the center had thrown 115 cro crore under the national green hydrogen mission up to 2025-26. These funds will be used for ship design, technology trials, infrastructure development and pilot projects.

Green hydrogen ship attempt was applied in two stages. The first stage focuses on strengthening for existing ships on hydrogen fuel, while the second stage includes the development of hydrogen fuel supply infrastructure at the key connection points.

Indian transport company and key agencies such as Vo Chidambaranar Port Authority (Vocpa) have been identified as application partners. Vocpa has prepared a project offer for 750 cubic meters of green methanol Methanol Bunkering facility in Tuticorin, one of the selected places for development of green hydrogen infrastructure.

Other ports, such as the Port of Deendayal, Paradip Port and Tuticorin Port, were developed as hydrogen centers as part of the government’s roadmap to convert these facilities into green hydrogen production and export centers.

“These strategic movements will not only improve India’s use of clean and renewable fuel use, but will also help to reduce the pollution levels in the sea roads,” he said.