Indian Navy‘s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on June 26, 2026, as part of the landmark transoceanic expedition, Lokayan 26. INS Sudarshini’s visit to Baltimore highlights India’s rich maritime heritage and the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy. During her stay, the ship will undertake maritime engagement and community outreach activities ahead of the Sail250 Maryland celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.Prior to arriving in Baltimore, INS Sudarshini participated in the Sail250 Virginia celebrations in Norfolk from June 19 to 23, 2026, joining tall ships from across the world and representing India in the Parade of Sail and the City Crew Parade. The passage from Norfolk to Baltimore involved a transit through the historic Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal, passing beneath major Mid-Atlantic bridges.INS Sudarshini is a sail training ship built by Goa Shipyard Ltd for the Indian Navy. The ship is a sister ship of INS Tarangini, which was commissioned in 1997. It was designed by Colin Mudie, a naval architect and yacht designer from the United Kingdom.INS Sudarshini is a three-masted sailing ship with a barque rig. It is 54 metres long and carries 20 sails, 7.5 km of rope and 1.5 km of steel wire rope. Its sails have a total area of approximately 1,035 square metres (11,140 sq ft). Capable of operating under sail or power, the ship has a complement of five officers, 31 sailors and 30 cadets embarked for training. It can remain at sea for at least 20 days at a time.INS Sudarshini’s steel hull was launched on January 25, 2011, at the port town of Vasco da Gama in Goa, by which time the major portion of construction had been completed. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 27, 2012, by Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil, then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. Built for worldwide operations, the ship serves as a platform for basic seamanship training and character building.INS Sudarshini has made a series of notable port calls during her voyages, reflecting the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime diplomacy and training. The ship has visited Bali in Indonesia, Manila in the Philippines, Da Nang in Vietnam, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Singapore, Salalah in Oman, Safaga in Egypt, Valletta in Malta, Sète in France, Casablanca in Morocco and Las Palmas in Spain’s Canary Islands, among several other ports. Each of these visits demonstrates the ship’s role as a floating ambassador for India.
