Built by Kozhikode artisans, heritage Indian ship INSV Kaundinya completes 18-day voyage to Oman

New Delhi: The Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya on Wednesday successfully completed its landmark voyage to Muscat, Oman, after spending 18 days at sea, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime heritage initiative.

The ship began its voyage from Gujarat’s Porbandar on December 29, 2025. Skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran, the 16-member crew reached Muscat as scheduled on January 14. 

The Kaundinya is a vessel inspired by a fifth-century CE ship depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings. The project originated from an idea proposed by Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, drawing inspiration from India’s ancient maritime history.

A tripartite agreement for the construction of the vessel was signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and Goa-based boatbuilder Hodi Innovations, with funding provided by the Ministry of Culture.

The Kozhikode connection

Following the keel-laying in September 2023, the ship was built using traditional stitched-ship techniques by a team of artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. Babu reportedly hails from Vadakara in Kozhikode, a district in Kerala’s Malabar region renowned for building the ‘uru’ or ‘dhow’, the traditional wooden ships which served as trading vessels for Arabs, centuries ago. Though few in number, these skilled artisans engage in the ancient practice to this day.

Over several months, wooden planks of the INSV Kaundinya were meticulously stitched together using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The vessel was launched in Goa in February 2025.

The Kaundinya features sails adorned with motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, a sculpted Simha Yali on the bow, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck, reflecting India’s ancient seafaring traditions.

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‘Ship of wood with men of steel’

The achievement was shared on social media by Sanjeev Sanyal, who posted a photograph with the crew and wrote, “Enjoying the moment with Skipper Vikas Sheoran and Expedition in charge Hemanth Kumar… We did it!!!”

In an earlier post from January 11, Sanyal stated, “INSV Kaundinya flying the tricolour across the Arabian Sea: Ship of Wood with Men of Steel.”

Another crew member, Hemanth Kumar, announced the landfall in a celebratory post, saying, “Land ahoy! Muscat sighted! Good morning India; good morning Oman.”

Malayali and retired naval officer Abhilash Tomy, who previously completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe, congratulated the crew, calling the achievement a “wonderful feeling” and praising them for earning their “sea legs”.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the crew on their achievement. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Delighted to receive this picture from the team of INSV Kaundinya! Heartening to see their enthusiasm. As we are all set to usher in 2026, my special greetings to the INSV Kaundinya team, which is on the high seas. May the rest of their journey also be full of joy and success.”

Named after Kaundinya, the legendary first-century Indian mariner who is believed to have sailed across the Indian Ocean to the Mekong Delta and married a Cambodian princess, the vessel stands as a living symbol of India’s long history of maritime exploration, trade and cultural exchange.

(With ANI inputs)