The ship departed Porbandar in Gujarat on December 29, 2025, on its maiden international expedition. Although the journey was initially planned for 15 days, weather conditions and sea dynamics extended the voyage to 18 days. A 16-member crew, led by Commander Vikas Sheoran, navigated the vessel across the Arabian Sea without the aid of modern propulsion or navigation systems.
Confirmation of the ship’s arrival near the Muscat coast was shared by Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, who conceptualised the project. Posting on social media platform X, Sanyal described the moment as historic and congratulated the crew on completing the challenging journey. Crew member Hemant Kumar also confirmed the sighting of land, calling it a memorable moment for the expedition team.
Naval Commander Abhilash Tomy, a veteran sailor and solo circumnavigator, congratulated the crew and described the voyage as a rare and defining experience. He noted that returning to land after an extended period at sea would feel unusual, underlining the depth of the crew’s achievement.
INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century depiction found in the Ajanta Caves and reflects India’s ancient maritime traditions. Built in Goa, the vessel uses a 2,000-year-old stitching technique in which wooden planks are sewn together with coconut fibre. No metal nails, engines, GPS systems or modern navigation aids were used. The ship relies entirely on wind power, operating with square cotton sails and paddles.
The project received central government approval in 2023, followed by a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and Goa-based Hodi Innovations. The Navy oversaw the project’s design, technical validation and construction, working closely with traditional artisans. With no surviving blueprints of similar ancient vessels, the design posed several technical challenges, making Kaundinya unlike any ship currently in service with navies worldwide.
Launched in February 2025 and inducted into the Navy seven months ago, the ship features symbolic elements such as the Gandaberunda and sun motifs on its sails, a Simha-Yali carving on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck.
Named after the ancient Indian mariner Kaundinya, who sailed to Southeast Asia in the first century, the vessel embodies India’s long history of maritime trade and cultural exchange. In its next phase, INSV Kaundinya is expected to sail along traditional trade routes, further reinforcing India’s seafaring legacy.
