• A traditional wooden ship, or lenj, being restored on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Arabian Gulf. All photos: AFP
    A traditional wooden ship, or lenj, being restored on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Arabian Gulf. All photos: AFP
  • Locals fear the wooden ships are being replaced by cheaper, faster boats.
    Locals fear the wooden ships are being replaced by cheaper, faster boats.
  • The sturdy vessels, built by hand, have sailed Gulf waters for centuries
    The sturdy vessels, built by hand, have sailed Gulf waters for centuries
  • The lenj is part of the maritime landscape of the Middle East
    The lenj is part of the maritime landscape of the Middle East
  • Traditional wooden ships (lenj) are pictured on Iran's touristic Qeshm island in the Gulf, on April 29, 2023. From Muscat to Bandar Abbas via Dubai, the potbellied silhouette of the lenjs is part of the maritime landscape of the Middle East, just like that of the sailing dhows of the Arabian Peninsula. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
    Traditional wooden ships (lenj) are pictured on Iran's touristic Qeshm island in the Gulf, on April 29, 2023. From Muscat to Bandar Abbas via Dubai, the potbellied silhouette of the lenjs is part of the maritime landscape of the Middle East, just like that of the sailing dhows of the Arabian Peninsula. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
  • The small port is home to several shipyards specialising in their maintenance and repair
    The small port is home to several shipyards specialising in their maintenance and repair
  • The disctinctively-shaped ships afloat in the Arabian Gulf
    The disctinctively-shaped ships afloat in the Arabian Gulf
  • Inside one of the vessels
    Inside one of the vessels
  • A half-built lenj propped on beams that will not be finished for lack of money
    A half-built lenj propped on beams that will not be finished for lack of money
  • They are a draw for tourists to the island
    They are a draw for tourists to the island
  • Each lenj is unique and the ships vary in size
    Each lenj is unique and the ships vary in size

MENA

Traditional wooden ships restored on Iran's Qeshm Island - in pictures

The lenj is part of the maritime landscape of the Middle East, like the dhows of the Arabian Peninsula

The National

May 11, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic
Updated: May 11, 2023, 11:26 AM