Indian Navy’s engineless vessel, INSV Kaundinya, has embarked on its maiden (first) voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, marking a historic moment. This voyage will retrace the old maritime routes that once connected India’s western coast with Oman. The vessel was formally flagged off by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice -Admiral, Krishna Swaminathan, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, Issa Saleh Al Shibani, in Porbandar.
The vessel is from the fifth century and was reconstructed, taking inspiration from the Ajanta Cave paintings. The 65-feet-long vessel has been constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques, employing natural materials and methods that date back several centuries. Unlike contemporary vessels, INSV Kaudinya's wooden planks are stitched together using coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, reflecting a shipbuilding tradition once prevalent along India's coasts and across the Indian Ocean.
The stitched ship is equipped with square sails and steering oars, which are "entirely alien to modern-day ships.” The hull geometry, rigging, and sails had to be reimagined and tested from first principles, as stated by the Indian Navy.
The crew —
INSV Kaundinya, with 18 sailors onboard, would be covering a distance of 1,400 km before reaching the shore of Muscat, Oman, after 15 days at sea.
The voyage is not only a depiction of India’s long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange, and shipbuilding heritage, but also highlights the deep historical connections between Gujarat and Oman, reflecting a legacy of cooperation that continues to date.
PM Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the crew —
"Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman... My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond. I congratulate the designers, artisans, shipbuilders, and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing this unique vessel to life," the official post of PM on X cited.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, “A Proud Moment celebrating India's deep maritime heritage as INSV Kaundinya,
#IndianNavy's Sailing Vessel, built using the Ancient Indian Stitched Ship technique, embarks on a historic voyage from Porbandar (Gujarat) to Muscat, Oman, carrying a powerful message of heritage,craftsmanship and enduring friendship.”
The project was undertaken through a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations as part of India's efforts to rediscover and revive indigenous knowledge systems.
The ship was launched in February 2025 at Hodi Shipyard, Goa.
Follow us
