Navy to induct, unveil name of recreated ancient stitched ship; voyage preparations underway

THE Indian Navy is slated to induct a traditionally-built stitched ship, a recreation of a fifth century vessel, and unveil its name at a ceremony at the strategically located Karwar naval base in Karnataka on May 21, an official said on Tuesday.

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Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will preside over the ceremony as the chief guest, formally marking the induction of the ship, he said.

The completion of the construction of the ‘ancient stitched ship’ represents an artistic depiction of a fully functional sea-going vessel, a navy spokesperson said.

"Post induction, the project will enter its second important phase, where the Indian Navy will undertake the ambitious challenge of sailing this vessel along traditional maritime trade routes, reviving the spirit of ancient Indian seafaring. Preparations for the vessel's maiden trans-oceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman are already underway," he said.

In a momentous initiative by the Centre, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Culture, and Hodi Innovations, Goa, collaborated to reconstruct an ancient stitched ship, reminiscent of the ships that once sailed the oceans on India's ancient maritime trade routes, the ministry had said in September 2023.

The project was formally initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 between them, with funding from the Ministry of Culture.