A 21-meter long ship constructed using the ancient art of shipbuilding, known as the Tankai method, is expected to embark on a voyage from Odisha to Bali, Indonesia in November 2025. Under the patronage of the Indian Navy, the project aims to shed light on India’s maritime tradition and seafaring history.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s Project Mausam, an endeavor to reinstate maritime cultural ties and cultivate cultural understanding among 39 countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
India’s History of Maritime Trade
The earliest evidence of maritime trade involving Indian subcontinent dwellers dates back to around 3300-1300 BCE, marked by interactions between Indus Valley and Mesopotamia civilizations. The dock at Lothal (now located in Gujarat) offers insights into the civilization’s understanding of tidal and wind patterns.
Vedic texts dating from 1500-500 BCE, coupled with Jataka Tales and Tamil Sangam literature (300 BCE to 400 CE), provide significant narratives of seafaring activities. Maritime activity intensified by the 1st century BCE, primarily driven by the Roman Empire’s demand for Eastern goods. This change paved the way for Roman commerce and monetary transactions to encourage long-distance voyages.
Indian boat-building customs were varied, encompassing several traditions such as the coir-sewn tradition of the Arabian Sea, the jong tradition of Southeast Asia, and the Austronesian tradition of outrigger boats. These traditions preferred stitching over using nails in construction. Different types of wood were used for shipbuilding, ranging from mangrove wood for dowels to teak for planks, keels, stems and stern posts.
India as a Vital Trade Centre
By the Common Era, the Indian Ocean transformed into a bustling “trade lake,” with India at its core. India’s connectivity to Europe through the Middle East and Africa was established via ports like Bharuch and Muziris. Moreover, artifacts discovered in Hepu, China, dating back to the 3rd century BCE, suggest a maritime route linking India, China, and Malaysia.
These maritime networks boosted cultural exchanges as they enabled the mobility of people from diverse backgrounds. Artifacts of Indian origin were found scattered far and wide, extending all the way to Berenike, Egypt.
Current Status of Maritime Transport in India
Today, India ranks as the 16th largest maritime country globally. Maritime transport oversees 95% of India’s trade volume and accounts for 68% of the total value. India has made a mark on the ship recycling industry, owning over 30% of the global market share.
With a gross tonnage of 13,011 thousand as of December 2021, the Indian fleet constitutes just 1.2% of the world’s fleet capacity. The ambitious Sagar Mala Program was unveiled in 2017 with an eye for port-led development and logistics-intensive industries’ growth. As it stands, India houses 12 major and 200 non-major/intermediate ports.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust holds the distinction of being the largest major port in India, while Mudra is the most prominent private port. The Maritime India Vision 2030 foresees more than 150 initiatives to bolster the Indian maritime sector.
