It entered the Guinness Book of Records and took 4 years to complete

Emirati "Obeid" ... the largest Arab wooden ship in the world

• Majed Al Falasi during the ceremony of receiving the Guinness Book of Records at a special ceremony held yesterday.

  Photography: Ashok Verma

• The cargo ship "Obaid" began sailing after an effort that took four years.

  Photography: Ashok Verma

• Majed Obaid Al Falasi: “Preserving this heritage industry is a trust from my father, in addition to being an original heritage.”

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The Emirati vessel "Ubaid", carried out by Majid Obaid Al Falasi, and given the name of his father Obaid Jumah bin Majid Al Falasi, the Emirati sailor and shipbuilder, broke the world record for the largest Arab wooden ship in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

The dimensions of this gigantic mobile edifice reached 91.47 meters in length and 20.41 meters in width, and the UAE recorded this new achievement in the name of Majid Obaid bin Majid Al Falasi and Sons, after decades of work in the commercial boat trade of Dubai Creek.

It took four years to work on the cargo ship, and 25 workers worked on it, with a height of 11.22 meters, while it weighed about 2,500 tons, distributed between about 1,700 tons of wood and about 800 tons of iron.

They are manufactured using local and imported materials, and are capable of shipping loads of up to 6000 tons.

The work, in the beginning, was not based on a clear engineering vision or prior plans, but this vision developed over the years.

The work was carried out by Majid Obaid Al Falasi to commemorate his father's legacy and his career in making ships and boats, and to preserve this craft and its authenticity throughout the ages.

Regarding the ship’s story and how he worked on its idea, Al Falasi said to “Emirates Today”, “The idea of ​​implementing the huge ship came through the idea of ​​implementing the largest ship for shipping. We were surprised when the project started that there was a ship in Kuwait named (Al-Hashemi), and it is said that its cost reaches To 50 million dollars, which is the largest, but it is parked on the sidewalk and does not sail, and is used as a wedding hall and for organizing events, so (Guinness) was addressed, but they indicated the presence of the largest ship in Kuwait, but after continuing to communicate with them, the record was reached.

Al Falasi pointed out that his father was a developer of shipbuilding in the Gulf, as he went to Pakistan, due to the lack of raw materials in the Emirates, and he built the largest ship in Pakistan, weighing 300 tons, and when he brought it to the Emirates in 1967, everyone was surprised by it, and the ship was a great event. That is why this new ship is an extension of his career in the world of shipbuilding, especially with record numbers.

Challenges

Al Falasi confirmed that these wooden ships are made from wood brought from India, but the ship «Ubaid» was made of wood similar to Indian wood but from Africa, explaining that the work on the ship carried many challenges, especially as it is huge, indicating that the team’s work is the guarantor. By completing this vessel, because its completion requires a team with following it up on a daily basis in terms of sizes and designs.

Al Falasi confirmed that he had studied in America, but in spite of that he continued his work with the father, indicating that he sought to preserve the original style in designing ships, and that he had worked for five years with his brothers, who work with him in the factory in his spare time, alongside his son Obaid, who worked on the ship since he was 12 years old, and therefore began to teach them the profession, in the Gulf region and in Dubai, there is no competitor in the shipbuilding industry, explaining that the movement of wooden ships still exists in the Emirates, and it will maintain its presence because this commercial movement will remain.

School

Al Falasi believes that preserving this heritage industry is a trust from his father, in addition to being an original heritage, indicating that it has developed a lot, and that development can be observed in the shape of the ship and the equipment in it, and that its industry is one of the industries that are threatened with disappearing, explaining that he is not afraid of this industry, Because he has hope for his brothers and children to complete the march and preserve the craft, many of the factories that manufacture these ships have closed, and turned to other materials.

Al Falasi aspires to design a school in which he teaches students the profession of their parents and grandparents, in which he introduces them to the basics of shipbuilding and its types, and how it is used for fishing, diving and transporting goods, in addition to his desire to design a small museum of pictures that simulates the past and the present.

He pointed out that his efforts over the years made him able to manufacture ships and export to Italy, France and the Netherlands, and yachts were manufactured, and this means the development from ships to yachts, as the heritage profession has kept pace with the times, and the modernity and luxury in it.

Authentic legacy

Al-Falasi wishes for a return to time back, so that the people of the profession can see how they can be more happy, because the extent of knowledge of the ship world is few, and the elderly who worked in this craft, now, are present in homes, wishing to present their work to people, because for years They lived a harsh life, and there were no raw materials.

He considered the shipbuilding industry as an original legacy that must be preserved in the Emirates, especially in Dubai, as ship movement is essential.

He pointed to the interest of the West in this craft, and their astonishment upon their visit to the factory, indicating that traditional industries have ceased to exist in the West. They are depicted and astonished by what is presented in the factory, which is an individual effort, and the tourism and cultural parties should take this industry more seriously and promote it, to prevent its extinction I have worked a lot to prevent this industry from disappearing.

Documentary book

Majed Obaid Al Falasi is working to present a documentary book about his father and his journey with ships, and he indicated that he is in the process of preparing for this book, in which he will present his father’s march in developing the shipbuilding industry, and he will also carry pictures and adequate information that can provide people with all the information they need about Ships, especially since ship traffic is essential and important in the Emirates.

Majid Obaid Al Falasi carried out the work to commemorate his father's legacy and his career in making ships and boats, and to preserve this craft and its authenticity throughout the ages.

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