<p data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">KOCHI / KOLKATA — Inland Waterways Authority of India and Cochin Shipyard Limited Finalize Commercial Deployment Roadmap for Indigenous Hybrid-Electric Catamaran Fleet Across the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hooghly Waterway</b></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-348"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">Senior project directors and naval engineering executives from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), its riverfront shipbuilding subsidiary Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have conducted a comprehensive operational review assessing the phased deployment and terminal integration of newly launched hybrid-electric catamarans along <b data-path-to-node="4,0" data-index-in-node="382">National Waterway-1 (NW-1)</b></span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-349"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">The high-level technical session follows the successful water launch of the fifth catamaran in an indigenous six-vessel series at HCSL’s Kolkata shipyard on the Hooghly River</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">. Developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ (MoPSW) <b data-path-to-node="5,2" data-index-in-node="73">Harit Nauka</b> green transition framework and the National Green Corridor initiative, the review finalized schedule matrices, shore-to-ship fast-charging schedules, and mixed-mode cargo-passenger operations across strategic river nodes linking West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh</span><span data-path-to-node="5,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7"><b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="0">Technical Specifications &amp; Clean Propulsion Architecture</b></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-350"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">Built to the statutory classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under the Inland Vessels (IV) Act with dedicated <i data-path-to-node="8,0" data-index-in-node="138">IY, BATTERY PROP</i> notations</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">, the 24.8-metre twin-hull catamarans are engineered specifically for shallow-draft, eco-sensitive riverine corridors</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-351"><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) Battery Arrays:</b> Outfitted with high-safety, rapid-charging LTO battery banks that offer exceptional thermal stability and extended cycle life, optimized for 15-to-20-minute turnaround boosts at dedicated river terminal charging berths</span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-352"><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Hybrid Backup &amp; Zero-Emission Cruising:</b> The vessels operate in pure-electric, zero-emission mode during scheduled river transits, backed by auxiliary low-emission diesel generators to provide operational range security during adverse monsoon river currents</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-353"><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Low-Wash Hydrodynamic Demi-Hulls:</b> The twin-hull configuration (6.4-metre beam and 2-metre demi-hull width) hydrodynamically minimizes wake wash, preventing riverbank soil erosion and protecting vulnerable river ecology along the Ganga basin</span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,3,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-354"><span data-path-to-node="9,3,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dual-Use Payload Flexibility:</b> In addition to an air-conditioned main cabin seating 50 passengers, the deck layout incorporates modular payload bays for rapid containerized light express cargo and agricultural parcels, providing clean inter-city transit between congested urban terminals</span><span data-path-to-node="9,3,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,3,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="11"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0">Operational Alignment with Eastern Multimodal Corridors</b></p><p data-path-to-node="12" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-355"><span data-path-to-node="12,0">The deployment framework reviewed by IWAI and CSL leadership integrates the clean-propulsion catamaran fleet directly into the wider multimodal logistics network being built along NW-1</span><span data-path-to-node="12,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="12,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="13"><li><p data-path-to-node="13,0,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-356"><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Urban Decongestion &amp; Feeder Relays:</b> By offering scheduled, high-frequency riverine services between river hubs (including Varanasi, Patna, Sahibganj, and Kolkata), the electric fleet provides an alternative to congested road corridors, reducing localized particulate emissions and vehicular transit bottlenecks</span><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="13,1,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-357"><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Synergy with River Freight Logistics:</b> The catamarans will operate alongside high-capacity river barges, utilizing modernized community jetties and multi-modal logistics terminals developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) to ensure uninterrupted first- and last-mile connectivity for express trade</span><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="13,2,0" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-358"><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Operational Handover to ICSL:</b> The fleet is managed in coordination with Inland and Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a specialized subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), establishing standardized vessel maintenance protocols and digital tracking integrations</span><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="15"><b data-path-to-node="15" data-index-in-node="0">Driving Maritime Decarbonization under Harit Nauka Guidelines</b></p><p data-path-to-node="16" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-359"><span data-path-to-node="16,0">During the review, IWAI and Cochin Shipyard leadership highlighted that commercializing battery-hybrid and hydrogen-compatible river vessels forms the cornerstone of India’s long-term target to transition 100% of public riverine transport to green and alternative fuels by 2047</span><span data-path-to-node="16,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="16,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="17" id="p-rc_5020fb0743943445-360"><span data-path-to-node="17,0">With five vessels launched and the final sixth hull undergoing outfitting, yard engineers confirmed that commercial service operations across designated sectors of National Waterway-1 are advancing on schedule, establishing a repeatable decarbonization blueprint for other declared National Waterways across India</span><span data-path-to-node="17,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="17,2">.</span></p>