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Images: Rembang preserving shipbuilding craftsmanship
The coastal people of Rembang, Central Java, are known for their long history of shipbuilding expertise.
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Business as usual: Wooden vessels anchor in the waters off Juwana in Pati, Central Java. (JP/Suherdjoko)
T
he coastal people of Rembang, Central Java, are known for their long history of shipbuilding expertise. The recent discovery of a vessel in the village of Punjulharjo in Rembang district, estimated to date back to the 7th century, serves as archeological evidence.
The old kingdoms with strong naval forces in Java always had flourishing shipbuilding ports in the northern coastal areas, from the Singasari period to the Majapahit Empire, the Demak Sultanate and to the rule of Islamic Mataram.
During the Dutch colonial era, shipyards supported the movement of cargo as well as Dutch troops in their control of Indonesia. Back then, many wooden freighters and warships with cannon were produced in Rembang.
Later, during the Japanese occupation, the Japanese troops forced Rembang shipyards to build hundreds of wooden vessels with diesel engines. Some 44,000 workers toiled away to meet the orders.
The Rembang shipyards have moved from Lasem to Sarang in the same regency. Today, hundreds of shipbuilders continue to produce wooden ships, each costing up to Rp 2 billion (US$150,257), depending on the size. With fishing equipment, the price can reach Rp 5 billion.
