INSV Kaundinya will arrive in Mumbai around 17 February after completing her maiden overseas voyage to Muscat, Oman. The vessel is scheduled to sail from Muscat on 8 February, retracing the historic maritime routes that connected India with the wider Indian Ocean world for millennia.

INSV Kaundinya undertook her maiden overseas voyage on 29 December 2025 and was flagged off from Porbandar, Gujarat, for Muscat, Oman. The ship reached Oman on 14 January 2026 after completing 17 days at sea.

Inspired by depictions of ancient Indian ships and constructed entirely using traditional stitched-plank techniques, INSV Kaundinya represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship and modern naval expertise. Unlike contemporary vessels, the 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. This technology enabled Indian mariners to undertake long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia long before the advent of modern navigation and metallurgy.

The project was undertaken through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and M/s Hodi Innovations, as part of India’s efforts to rediscover and revive indigenous knowledge systems. INSV Kaundinya was launched in February 2025 at Hodi Shipyard, Goa, and was inducted by the Indian Navy at the Karwar Naval Base, Goa, on 21 May 2025.

Built by traditional artisans under the guidance of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran, and supported by extensive research, design and testing by the Indian Navy and academic institutions, the vessel is fully seaworthy and capable of oceanic navigation. Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, who is believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times, the ship embodies India’s historic role as a maritime nation.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.