Indian Navy’s Stitched Ship to Embark on Historic Voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, with Bali Next

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage as its unique stitched ship, INSV Kondinya, embarks on its maiden voyage. The journey will commence from Porbandar, Gujarat, on 29th December, heading towards Muscat, Oman, and will later extend to Bali. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to flag off this historic expedition.

Reviving Ancient Maritime Traditions
According to Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal, INSV Kondinya is a revival of India’s ancient shipbuilding and seafaring traditions. The voyage symbolically retraces historic maritime routes that connected India with countries across the Indian Ocean for thousands of years.

Unlike modern vessels, the ship’s wooden planks are stitched together using coconut fiber ropes and natural adhesives, following techniques that were prevalent along India’s coasts and the broader Indian Ocean region long before the advent of metal and modern navigation technology. Inspired by illustrations of ancient Indian ships, Kondinya combines traditional craftsmanship with modern naval skills.

Route and Duration
The Porbandar-to-Muscat leg of the voyage is expected to take about two weeks. Following this, Kondinya will sail to Bali, tracing ancient trade routes that were active for centuries.

After completing its voyages, INSV Kondinya will be placed at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat, and eventually showcased in a museum.

Preserving India’s Maritime Legacy
INSV Kondinya is more than a vessel; it is a living testament to India’s centuries-old shipbuilding expertise. Named after the legendary navigator Kondinya, believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times, the ship embodies the nation’s maritime legacy and demonstrates India’s continued commitment to celebrating and preserving its seafaring history.

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