India on the hydrogen course. Ports and ships are using Indian technologies.

India embarked on a hydrogen journey by commissioning the country’s first “Make in India” hydrogen power plant at Deendayal Port in early August of this year. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders announced they would build hydrogen fuel cell-powered ships. These projects will be implemented using indigenous technologies.

The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has commissioned the country’s first “Make in India” hydrogen power plant in Kandla, Gujarat. The plant was inaugurated by Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The plant has a capacity of 1 MW. This installation represents a significant milestone on India’s path to decarbonizing maritime transport and implementing green energy.

The facility was built in just four months. It is the first component of a planned 10 MW hydrogen power plant and the first of its kind to be installed in an Indian port. The electrolyzer used in the project is locally manufactured, making the entire initiative an achievement under the Make in India campaign. India’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy systems is a result of the Indian government’s consistent policy implemented under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Hydrogen Mission at the Port
The plant, built at the port, will supply green hydrogen to power 11 buses and street lights within the port. Over time, the Deendayal Port Authority plans to expand its use to power all port operations, including vehicles, tugboats, and ships. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the port’s carbon footprint, making it a model for other Indian ports to follow.

The project is progressing at a rapid pace. The plant has been announced to be operational with a capacity of 5 MW by the end of the current fiscal year. The 10 MW plant is expected to be operational by the middle of the next fiscal year. Once completed, it will be capable of producing approximately 140 tons of green hydrogen per year.

Źródło: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, India

In a statement, the Deendayal Port Authority emphasized that the project represents a key step towards decarbonizing maritime transport. This initiative strengthens India’s position as a global leader in sustainable port operations.

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy (DPA) clearly states that the goal is to make India a global hub for the production, use, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. This will contribute to India’s goal of achieving Aatmanirbhar (self-sufficiency) through clean energy and inspire a global transformation towards clean energy. This mission will significantly decarbonize the economy, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to become a technological and market leader in green hydrogen.

The project is emphasized as a “new benchmark” in the implementation of green energy projects, and the DPA praises its speed, scale, and expertise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the power plant on May 26, 2025, during his visit to Bhuj. This signaled not only the government’s interest in innovation but also its strong and genuine support for the development of renewable energy based on local entrepreneurship.

Billions of rupees for hydrogen-powered ships
India has begun building its first hydrogen-powered ships, a real step towards sustainable maritime transport. This is another component of the government’s “National Green Hydrogen Mission.” Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the launch of the program in response to a question from MP Kesineni Shivanath in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025, as reported by The Hindu.

Cochin Shipyard and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders will build hydrogen fuel cell-powered ships. Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said: “These strategic moves will not only increase India’s use of clean and renewable fuels but also help drastically reduce pollution on maritime routes,” The Hindu quoted Sonowal as saying.

Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized that the central government’s actions will make India a leader in green hydrogen technology and pave the way for a more sustainable and future-proof maritime industry. These are tangible pledges, amounting to millions of rupees. The government has allocated 1.15 billion rupees ($13.1 million) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These funds are to be used in 2025-26. They are earmarked for ship design, technology testing, infrastructure development, and pilot projects.

Źródło: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, India

The Indian government’s “Green Hydrogen” initiative is being implemented in two phases. The first phase initially aims to modernize existing ships to adapt them to hydrogen fuel. The second phase envisages the development of hydrogen bunkering infrastructure in major Indian ports.

The Shipping Corporation of India and the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) are key partners in this project. VOCPA has already proposed the construction of a 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility in Tuticorin. This is one of the selected locations for the development of green hydrogen infrastructure. This is not a standalone initiative, as ports such as Deendayal, Paradip, and Tuticorin are also building hydrogen hubs. These activities are consistent with the Indian government’s vision, cited above, to transform these locations into hubs for green hydrogen production and export.

In a separate announcement, the Inland Waterways Development Board announced an investment of 500 billion rupees ($5.8 billion) in modernizing India’s inland waterway network, which will further strengthen the country’s infrastructure. It’s worth noting that the Indian government’s hydrogen policy is heavily focused on supporting ports and developing waterborne transport using hydrogen fuel cells.