INS Sandhayak's Singapore Port Call

Summary of the Article on INS Sandhayak's Maiden Port Call at Singapore

INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy's first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) equipped with advanced hydrography capabilities, successfully completed its inaugural port visit to Singapore, departing from Changi Naval Base on August 12, 2025. This visit was part of India’s Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative, aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Singapore.

Key Highlights:

• The visit coincided with Singapore’s National Day, enhancing the significance of the initiative of goodwill and cooperation.
• The Indian Navy aimed to bolster the synergy in maritime domain awareness and hydrographic collaboration between the two nations.
• During the port visit, Captain N Dheeraj, the Commanding Officer of INS Sandhayak, engaged with Mr. Gary Chew, Assistant Chief Hydrographer of Singapore, and Colonel Chauah Meng Soon, Commander of the 9th Flotilla of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
• This interaction emphasized mutual commitments toward enhancing hydrographic cooperation, sharing best practices, and deepening maritime collaboration.

Importance of Hydrography:

• Both nations acknowledged that accurate hydrography is essential for navigational safety, protecting marine infrastructure, and supporting maritime trade.
• The ship’s crew engaged RSN personnel, showcasing the hydrographic capabilities of the Indian Navy, including a walk-through of state-of-the-art systems onboard.
• Discussions covered hydrographic history, data capturing methodologies, and cooperative joint operations geared towards improving maritime synergy between India and Singapore.

Educational Outreach:

• An educational initiative was part of the visit, where children from local schools were invited onboard.
• The students were provided an immersive experience, gaining insights into advanced hydrographic equipment, survey boats, and chart production units.
• The crew members elaborated on the significance of ocean mapping for ensuring navigational safety and environmental protection.

Commitment to Regional Cooperation:

• The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to fostering regional collaboration, capacity-building, and enhanced maritime cooperation with like-minded navies in the region.

The port call of INS Sandhayak symbolizes not only the diplomatic relations between India and Singapore but also reflects the Indian Navy's proactive approach to maritime security and cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Important Points:

• INS Sandhayak completed its first port call in Singapore on 12 Aug 2025.
• The visit supported India's Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR initiative.
• The call coincided with Singapore’s National Day.
• Engagements included meetings with senior hydrography officials of Singapore.
• Emphasis on hydrographic cooperation and navigational safety was highlighted.
• Educational outreach involved school children visiting to learn about hydrographic operations.
• Indian Navy's commitment to regional cooperation and capacity-building was reiterated.