Team Herald
MARGAO: In a step towards reviving India’s maritime heritage, the country’s first ancient stitched ship was officially launched at the Hodi Innovation shipyard on Divar Island. The event, held on Wednesday, was attended by senior Indian Navy officials, including Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK), who was the chief guest.
Designed and built entirely in Goa, the ship is a tribute to India’s traditional shipbuilding techniques. The vessel has been crafted using coconut fibre stitching, traditional wooden joinery, and natural resins, methods historically used in ancient Indian maritime construction. The project brought together expert artisans from across India, including a skilled team led by master craftsman Babu Shankaran from Kerala.
Speaking at the launch, Prathamesh Dandekar, Managing Director of Hodi Innovations, described the ship as a "living testament to India’s shipbuilding legacy." He credited the artisans for their dedication and expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy and the Ministry of Culture for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
Rear Admiral Ramakrishnan highlighted the historical significance of stitched ships, emphasizing their deep-rooted connection to India’s ancient seafaring traditions. He announced that the vessel would be docked at Karwar port, where Captain Dilip Donde, India’s first solo global circumnavigator, would mentor a Navy team undertaking ocean voyages aboard the ship. “Captain Donde’s expertise will be invaluable in this historic initiative,” he added.
The project was conceptualised by economist and historian Sanjeev Sanyal and is being executed through a tripartite agreement between Hodi Innovations, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Culture.
The Goa-based Hodi Innovations has built a range of vessels, including sailing boats, motorboats, and patrol boats for the Indian defence forces, with expertise in steel, aluminum, and FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) construction.