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INSV Kaundinya Reaches Muscat, Receives Water Salute After Arabian Sea Crossing

The reconstructed 5th-century-style sailing vessel served as a heritage mission highlighting IndiaOman maritime ties.

Overview

  • Built without nails using stitched planks of wood, coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin, the ship was crafted by Kerala artisans led by Babu Sankaran and technically validated by the Indian Navy with hydrodynamic testing at IIT Madras.
  • The PorbandarMuscat passage lasted roughly two and a half weeks under square sails with no engine, retracing historic trade routes across the Arabian Sea.
  • Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal received the crew in Muscat and discussed expanded cooperation with Omani officials across ports, shipbuilding and potential green‑shipping initiatives.
  • The crew, led by Commander Vikas Sheoran with Commander Y Hemant Kumar as officer‑in‑charge, included Sanjeev Sanyal, who reported operational findings such as about 4‑knot speeds in favorable winds and heavy rolling.
  • Marking 70 years of IndiaOman diplomatic relations, the arrival featured a ceremonial welcome and cultural performances, and the vessel will undergo checks in Oman with details of the return voyage yet to be announced.