INSV Kaundinya begins maiden overseas voyage to Muscat

INSV Kaundinya, the Navy’s pioneering stitched sailing vessel built using traditional techniques, embarked on her maiden overseas voyage from Gujarat’s Porbandar to Muscat on Monday.

This historic expedition marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to revive, understand, and celebrate its ancient maritime heritage through a living ocean voyage, according to a defence release.

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.

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, the defence ministry had said.

The 65-feet-long INSV Kaundinya has been constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques, employing natural materials and methods that date back several centuries.