INSV Kaundinya Oman Journey: INSV Kaundinya reached Mumbai after its first foreign voyage to Oman. The traditional stitched ship retraced ancient sea routes and highlighted India’s rich maritime history and cultural ties.
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Kaundinya came back to Mumbai Harbour on March 1. It was welcomed in a special ceremony by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. The Indian Navy said this event marked the end of the ship’s first foreign trip. The ship had travelled all the way to the Sultanate of Oman and then safely returned home.
The vessel reached the Mumbai Naval Dockyard after sailing to Muscat and back. This journey was not just a normal trip. The ship followed very old sea routes that were once used by Indian traders many centuries ago.
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During this first international journey, the ship crossed the Arabian Sea. The Navy said the trip showed India’s proud sea traditions and its long history of travelling across oceans.
A Ship Built the Ancient way
According to the Ministry of Defence, INSV Kaundinya is not an ordinary ship. It is made using very old Indian shipbuilding methods. The wooden planks of the ship are stitched together by hand using coir rope. After that, natural resins are used to seal the gaps. This old style of building ships was used in India many centuries ago.
The design of the vessel was inspired by a 5th-century picture found in the Ajanta Caves. The ship was built under the supervision of the Indian Navy, along with skilled traditional craftsmen. So, it is a mix of ancient art and modern naval checks. The ship is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya. It stands as a symbol of India’s long history of sailing and connecting with other lands across the Indian Ocean.
The Navy said the ship sailed from Porbandar on December 29, 2025. It reached Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat on January 14, 2026. When it arrived there, Omani leaders and members of the Indian community living in Oman gave it a warm welcome. The main aim of the journey was to follow old trade paths and make the friendship between India and Oman stronger.
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Next Voyage
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan spoke about what will happen next. He said the ship will soon begin another foreign journey. “In the near future, INSV Kaundinya will start its second voyage from Puri to Bali,” he said.
