Three-masted barque makes second visit to Alexandria during 10-month transoceanic expedition
Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the historic port city of Alexandria, Egypt, on 23 September 2026, as part of its ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. The port call marks the ship’s second visit to Alexandria during the deployment.
The 10-month expedition began from Kochi on 20 January 2026, with INS Sudarshini scheduled to cover approximately 22,000 nautical miles across 18 ports in 13 countries.
Since setting sail, the three-masted barque has traversed the Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Mediterranean, including a transit through the Suez Canal. The ship also participated in the prestigious Escale à Sète maritime festival in France during the voyage.
A major milestone of Lokayan 26 was INS Sudarshini’s first-ever Atlantic crossing. The ship arrived in Antigua on 27 May 2026, following a 19-day passage from Cape Verde. During the passage, the vessel crossed the 10,000-nautical-mile mark since departing Kochi.
The ship subsequently sailed to the Azores and Portugal, with its arrival in Lisbon on 22 August 2026 marking its 15th port visit in seven months.
Throughout the expedition, naval trainees have gained extensive practical experience in long-range ocean navigation, open-sea manoeuvring, sail handling and traditional seamanship. The Mediterranean leg has provided additional opportunities for hands-on training in challenging open-water conditions.
On arrival at Alexandria, INS Sudarshini was received by Rear Admiral Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Commander, Alexandria Naval Base, along with representatives of the Embassy of India.
During the port visit, the crew and trainees are scheduled to participate in courtesy calls, cross-deck visits and professional interactions with the Egyptian Navy. These engagements are intended to facilitate professional exchange and further strengthen maritime ties between India and Egypt.
Lokayan 26 reflects the Indian Navy’s focus on professional training, maritime outreach and cooperation with partner nations. During its transoceanic deployment, INS Sudarshini has also served as a floating ambassador of India’s maritime heritage, carrying the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
