India has launched its first ancient stitched ship at Divar Island, Goa. The wooden vessel, constructed using traditional techniques, entered the Mandovi River waters for the first time on February 26, 2025.
The ship is modelled after a 5th-century vessel depicted in a painting at the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra. It has been designed and built entirely in Goa by Hodi Innovations (OPC) Pvt Ltd in collaboration with master artisans from Kerala.
Unlike modern ships, its wooden planks have been stitched together using coconut coir rope, a technique once widely used by Indian shipbuilders.
The hull has been treated with sardine oil, natural resins, and seasoned wood to ensure durability at sea. The vessel is expected to undertake a voyage to Oman and Indonesia by the end of 2025, retracing ancient trade routes.
A 15-member Indian Navy crew will sail the ship, with training taking place at Karwar under the guidance of Captain Dilip Donde (Retd), India’s first solo circumnavigator.
Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Rear Admiral K.M. Ramakrishnan, described the project as a revival of India’s grand maritime tradition. “This is not just the launch of a ship, it is a tribute to our ancestors who once ruled these waters,” he said.
The ship features three masts- a main mast, mizzen mast, and bowsprit mast- and is steered using traditional oars instead of a modern rudder.
Its frame is crafted from teak and jackfruit wood, and the keel is made from Matti, Goa’s state tree. The vessel is entirely bound together using coir rope and fiber, with joints sealed using a mixture of fish oil and khundrus resin.
Master craftsman Babu Shankaran from Kerala led the team of artisans who stitched the ship’s planks together using ancient methods.
“Each plank was shaped using traditional steaming techniques and then stitched together with natural materials,” he explained.
The initiative is being executed through a tripartite agreement between the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Culture, and Hodi Innovations. Historian and economist Sanjeev Sanyal, who conceptualised the project, discussed its importance in understanding ancient shipbuilding.
“This is an experiment in recreating history. We have built an ancient hull, but we still need to learn how it performs at sea,” he said.
Once completed, the ship will undergo further construction, including the installation of masts and rigging, before being fully ready by May 2025. Extensive sea trials will follow before the historic voyage to Oman.
Senior Navy officials and project leaders attended the launching ceremony. The Managing Director of Hodi Innovations, Prathamesh Dandekar, pointed out the challenges of recreating a ship that existed 2,000 years ago. “It’s remarkable that materials like coconut fiber, fish oil, and cotton can create a seaworthy vessel,” he said.
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