INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s first stitched sailing vessel made with traditional methods, will begin its maiden overseas voyage to Oman on December 29. The ship will depart from Porbandar in Gujarat and head straight to Muscat. This journey marks a symbolic retracing of ancient maritime routes linking India with the Indian Ocean world. Built entirely with traditional stitched-plank techniques, the vessel’s wooden planks are stitched together using coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins. This old method, once common along India's coasts, allowed sailors to travel vast distances across West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia long before modern ships existed. The project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, aiming to rediscover and revive India’s indigenous maritime knowledge. Renowned master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran led the traditional artisans in building the ship. The Indian Navy and academic institutions contributed through research, design, and testing to ensure the vessel is fully seaworthy and ready for ocean voyages. Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, who is believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times, the vessel celebrates India’s historic maritime heritage. The Defence Ministry said the ship blends history, craftsmanship, and modern naval skills, presenting a rare tribute to India's seafaring past. The maiden voyage kicking off on December 29 will not only test the ship’s capabilities but also honor centuries-old trading and cultural connections across the seas.