Hand-stitched Indian ship arrives in Oman

The Indian Navy's hand-stitched wooden sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya reached Muscat after a 17-day voyage and received a water salute. The ship was built with traditional techniques using coir-stitched planks, has no engine, and sails under square canvas.

The Indian Navy's newly commissioned hand-stitched wooden vessel INSV Kaundinya arrived in Muscat, Oman, and was greeted with a water salute after completing a 17-day sea passage. The voyage began from Porbandar on India's west coast on 29 December and retraced an ancient maritime route that linked India to other regions for centuries. The ship was constructed using traditional methods and carries culturally significant decorative motifs drawn from Indian maritime history. Known details: - INSV Kaundinya arrived in Muscat after 17 days at sea and received a water salute on arrival. - The voyage started from Porbandar on 29 December and followed an ancient maritime route. - The vessel was built by stitching wooden planks with coir rope sealed with natural resin, without nails or metal fastenings. - The ship has no engine and moves under square sails supported by favourable winds. - Its design is said to be inspired by a 5th Century depiction at the Ajanta caves, and it carries symbolic motifs such as the Gandabherunda and a Harappan-style anchor. - Construction began in September 2023 and the ship was launched in February 2025 in Goa; crew members included Sanjeev Sanyal and Commander Hemant Kumar, who described the voyage as challenging. Summary: The arrival highlighted efforts to revive and showcase traditional Indian seafaring techniques and cultural maritime motifs, noted by officials and visible in the ship's construction and decorations. Undetermined at this time.