• The Al-Araimi boatyard in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital, Muscat. All photos by AFP
    The Al-Araimi boatyard in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital, Muscat. All photos by AFP
  • A shipbuilder works on a dhow at the boatyard.
    A shipbuilder works on a dhow at the boatyard.
  • Wooden dhows have been built in Sur for thousands of years, plying routes in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and even reaching China.
    Wooden dhows have been built in Sur for thousands of years, plying routes in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and even reaching China.
  • The wood used to make the dhows is sourced from ghaf, a tree known for its ability to withstand and thrive in challenging environmental conditions, and teak from Myanmar.
    The wood used to make the dhows is sourced from ghaf, a tree known for its ability to withstand and thrive in challenging environmental conditions, and teak from Myanmar.
  • Most of the wooden vessels are destined for the tourism industry while some are commissioned by wealthy people.
    Most of the wooden vessels are destined for the tourism industry while some are commissioned by wealthy people.
  • Shipbuilders work on a traditional dhow at the boatyard.
    Shipbuilders work on a traditional dhow at the boatyard.
  • The dhow factory is located south of the western end of the Khor Al Batah suspension bridge.
    The dhow factory is located south of the western end of the Khor Al Batah suspension bridge.
  • Ali al-Araimi (R) inspects a piece of wood at a shipyard in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital Muscat, on June 19, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)
    Ali al-Araimi (R) inspects a piece of wood at a shipyard in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital Muscat, on June 19, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)
  • The Al-Araimi family has been building dhows for hundreds of years.
    The Al-Araimi family has been building dhows for hundreds of years.
  • The factory produces only two or three large dhows at any given time.
    The factory produces only two or three large dhows at any given time.

Gulf

Oman

Inside a traditional dhow factory in Muscat - in pictures

Dhow construction at a shipyard in the Omani port city of Sur, south of the capital Muscat

The National

June 22, 2022

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Updated: June 22, 2022, 11:29 AM
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