Stitched Ship’ INSV Kaundinya Creates History with Arrival in Muscat; Sanjeev Sanyal Hails Maritime Feat

The Indian Navy’s unconventional “Stitched Ship,” INSV Kaundinya, made a milestone event in naval history by reaching Muscat, Oman, and marking the end of its first overseas voyage. The ship, which instead of modern metal nails uses coconut fibre stitching, was docked at Port Sultan Qaboos after an 18-day trip from Porbandar, Gujarat. This expedition is a vivid image of India’s ancient maritime might, traversing the trade paths that connected the subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula. The vessel’s arrival was accompanied by a lavish welcome, and with it, a successful experiment in reviving 5th-century shipbuilding techniques, inspired by the Ajanta Cave paintings, was celebrated.

Sanjeev Sanyal on the Historic Journey

Sanjeev Sanyal, a prominent economist and crew member, saw the journey as a “dream” come true and said that the significance of the project was beyond just navigation. He mentioned on arrival that the Maritime War was made possible by the visionary support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sanyal said that the expedition proves the technological capabilities of ancient Indian mariners and that these stitched vessels were capable of complex trans-oceanic voyages. The crew faced different weather conditions, but the traditional design of the ship was strong, thus demonstrating the endurance of indigenous engineering.

Reviving the Legacy of the Stitched Ship

The INSV Kaundinya is more than just a vessel; it is an extraordinary museum of heritage on water. The ship is a masterpiece of naval engineering that demonstrates Indigenous craftsmanship to the fullest. The decking is composed of hand-picked planks that are sewn together with long coir strands and packed with natural resins—an almost forgotten method. The once-dying art of stitching, coiling, and using natural resins is now the way of life thanks to this project that not only keeps the tradition alive but also shares it with the world. Besides being a cultural exchange, the project has been a great help to the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy in building India’s ties with Oman by using ancient times as a reference for the sustainable future of maritime exploration.

Official Post:

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) India: “A Voyage Across Time: Seas That Connect, Histories That Endure. INSV Kaundinya successfully completed its maiden voyage…” View Official Post on X