India, Denmark join hands to locate remains of 17th-century Danish ship

Published 16 June 2026 · india

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Museum of Denmark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a joint underwater archaeological investigation

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Museum of Denmark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a joint underwater archaeological investigation of the historic Danish ship Oresund, which was wrecked off the coast near Karaikal in present-day Puducherry in 1619. The agreement, a significant step towards advancing underwater cultural heritage research and strengthening Indo-Danish academic cooperation, was signed on Monday and aims to locate, document and study the remains of the vessel through a scientific, non-invasive underwater archaeological survey. Read Full Story The project will be jointly carried out by the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the ASI and maritime heritage experts from the Museum of Denmark's Njord – Centre for Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage. HISTORIC SHIPWRECK WITH INDO-DANISH LEGACY The Oresund holds a unique place in maritime history as the first Danish ship known to have reached India.

Historical records indicate that shortly after arriving in Indian waters, the vessel met with disaster and sank near Karaikal on the Coromandel Coast. Archaeologists and historians regard the shipwreck as a valuable cultural resource that could provide crucial insights into early seventeenth-century maritime trade, navigation, shipbuilding practices, and the first direct maritime links between Denmark and India. Experts believe the investigation may shed light on the broader commercial networks that connected Europe with the Indian Ocean region during a period marked by expanding global trade and colonial maritime ventures. Under the terms of the MoU, the project will focus on conducting a comprehensive non-invasive archaeological survey using advanced scientific methodologies and remote-sensing technologies. Researchers will employ state-of-the-art underwater survey techniques to identify potential remains of the shipwreck while ensuring minimal disturbance to the seabed and associated cultural materials, the Ministry of Culture said.

FIRST GLOBAL COLLABORATION FOR ASI'S UNDERWATER WING The project marks a major milestone for the ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing, representing its first collaborative archaeological venture with an international institution. Officials said the partnership is expected to enhance research capabilities, facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen institutional cooperation in the field of maritime archaeology. Speaking on the occasion, ASI Director General Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening academic and institutional ties between India and Denmark. "The Archaeological Survey of India is committed to advancing scientific research, conservation, and international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with the Museum of Denmark represents an important step towards strengthening academic and institutional collaboration between our two countries," Rawat said. He noted that the proposed investigation of the historic Danish ship Oresund, which occupies a unique position in the shared maritime history of India and Denmark, would significantly enhance understanding of maritime interactions and trade networks in the Indian Ocean.