KOZHIKODE: Beypore, famous for its dhows, or Urus in Malayalam, is preparing for the delivery of its largest vessel to a business group in Qatar, roughly a year after sending one for Doha’s royal family.
In the dockyard, artisans are giving finishing touches to the ship purchased by Qatari business magnate Yousuf Ahmed Al Ammari. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani bought the first dhow last year.
Alfa Enterprises headed by Alikoya Maliyakkal, who hails from nearby Malappuram district, got the order two years back. The handmade vessel built by 30 artisans of Kozhikode district has a 148-ft long, 34-feet wide and 12.5-ft-tall keel, the prime part that decides the entire structure. The cabin is 18 ft high above the deck, making it one of the largest made in any dockyard of Beypore.
“It took almost one and a half years for us to build this at a cost of close to '5 crore. We are ready to deliver it in a week, as soon as we get the clearance from the coastal and customs authorities,” Mr Alikoya said.
“What makes our dhow unique compared to other countries is its specifications, especially ribs and the carving that our specially trained artisans create on wooden blocks on which the ships are built.”
