TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Images: Rembang preserving shipbuilding craftsmanship

The coastal people of Rembang, Central Java, are known for their long history of shipbuilding expertise.

Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post)
Rembang
Wed, July 19, 2017 Published on Jul. 19, 2017 Published on 2017-07-19T13:05:15+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Business as usual: Wooden vessels anchor in the waters off Juwana in Pati, Central Java. 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.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.