Ancient ‘Stitched’ Ship Launched in Goa, Set to Retrace Historic Trading Routes by Year’s End

On Wednesday, a 5th-century wooden “stitched ship” was launched on Divar Island in Goa. This special ship, made using ancient techniques, features coconut fiber stitching, wooden joinery, coir rope, and natural resins, and is powered by cotton sails. It was inspired by a painting found in the Ajanta caves of Maharashtra and is now in the water for the first time. A crew of 15 from the Indian Navy will prepare for a historic journey to Oman, expected to take place by the end of 2025.

This project is a partnership between the Indian Navy, the Ministry of Culture, and a Goa-based shipbuilding company called Hodi Innovations. Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan stated that the launch is a way to honor India’s maritime history and pay tribute to those who once sailed these waters.

Sanjeev Sanyal, the project leader, mentioned that while the ship is not finished, it is being tested for leaks and overall strength. He pointed out the ship’s unique features, such as using a training oar instead of a rudder. The goal is to have the ship ready for full sailing by May 2025.

Built in Goa with the help of traditional shipbuilders, the ship includes several masts and uses a special method to stitch together the wooden planks. These planks are shaped by steaming and then held together with coir rope and sealed with a mix of coconut fiber, resin, and fish oil.

Prathamesh Dandekar, managing director of Hodi Innovations, expressed pride in this project, highlighting its importance in bringing back India’s ancient shipbuilding traditions. He discussed the challenges of creating a ship from thousands of years ago and emphasized the use of traditional materials in the process.