**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3319, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided information on the development and deployment of green hydrogen-powered ships in India. As of August 8, 2025, Cochin Shipyard Limited and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited have each built one vessel powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The government has allocated ₹115 crore until 2025-26 for pilot projects aimed at utilizing green hydrogen in the shipping sector, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGM). The scheme guidelines for implementation of these pilot projects were issued in February 2024.
The scheme focuses on:
* **Component A:** Retrofitting existing ships to run on green hydrogen or its derivatives. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is the Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) for this component.
* **Component B:** Development of bunkering and refueling facilities at ports for green hydrogen-based fuels. V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) (Tuticorin Port) is the SIA for this component.
During the foundation phase (2024-2025), Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), and Paradip Port Authority (PPA) have been identified as hydrogen hubs. VOCPA has prepared a Detailed Project Report for a pilot project involving the development of a bunkering and refueling facility with a 750 cubic metre green methanol capacity. The Green Hydrogen Hub Development Roadmap outlines a phased strategy to establish these major ports as key centers for green hydrogen production and export.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding green hydrogen powered ships.
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in the Government of India.
Cochin Shipyard Limited: Indian shipbuilding company that has built one vessel powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited: Indian shipbuilding company that has built one vessel powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: A government initiative to promote the production and use of green hydrogen in India. The scheme guidelines for implementation of pilot projects for the use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping Sector under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGM), have been issued in February 2024 with an outlay of Rs.115 crore till 2025-26.
Shipping Corporation of India: Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) for retrofitting existing ships to run on Green Hydrogen or its derivatives.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tamil Nadu: Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) for the development of bunkering and refueling facilities on ports for Green Hydrogen based fuels. Also known as VOCPA Tuticorin Port. Preparing a Detailed Project Report for a pilot project involving the development of a bunkering and refueling facility with a 750 cubic metre green methanol capacity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3319
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
GREEN HYDROGEN POWERED SHIPS
3319. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the total number of vessels, including ferries and inland/coastal ships, that are
currently powered by green hydrogen fuel cells along with the number of these built and
designed indigenously;
(b) the total funds allocated, disbursed and utilized by the Government during the last
three years for investment in the development, testing and deployment of hydrogen-
powered ships;
(c) whether the Government has approved or plans to launch additional pilot projects
for other hydrogen-fuelled vessels of different sizes and types, if so, the timeline and
locations for the same;
(d) the details regarding steps taken by the Government to develop supporting
infrastructure like hydrogen bunkering, refuelling facilities at major ports along with the
details of the funds allocated therefor; and
(e) whether the Government has formulated any roadmap to integrate green hydrogen
vessels into the National Green Hydrogen Mission, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (e) Cochin Shipyard Limited and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has built
1 vessel each powered by Hydrogen Fuel cell. The scheme guidelines for implementation
of Pilot projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping Sector under the National
Green Hydrogen Mission (NGM), have been issued in February 2024 with an outlay of
Rs.115 crore till 2025–26. Thrust areas under the scheme for providing support fordevelopment/ selection/ validation of commercially viable technologies, for the utilization
of hydrogen in shipping sector, are as follows:
i) Component A: Retrofitting of existing ships to run on Green Hydrogen or its
derivatives. Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) for this scheme is Shipping
Corporation of India (SCI).
ii) Component B: Development of bunkering and refueling facilities on ports for Green
Hydrogen based fuels. Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) for this scheme is V.O.
Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) (Tuticorin Port).
During the foundation phase (2024–2025), Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), V.O.
Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), and Paradip Port Authority (PPA) have been
identified as hydrogen hubs. The Green Hydrogen Hub Development Roadmap outlines
a phased strategy to establish these major ports as key centers for green hydrogen
production and export. VOCPA has prepared a Detailed Project Report for a pilot project
involving the development of a bunkering and refueling facility with a 750 cubic metre
green methanol capacity.
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