Fu Ning, world's largest traditional chinese boat, to dock in Melaka on May 1

SINGAPORE (Bernama): Malaysians will have the opportunity to catch the sight of Fu Ning, the world’s largest traditional Chinese wooden sailing boat, when it docks at Tanjung Bruas Port Jetty in Malaysia’s state Melaka beginning this May 1.

The vessel, measuring 41.6 metres (m) in length, 12 m wide and having a main mast height of 29 m, will berth at the port for about a week as part of the ship owner Lin Chang Jiu’s aspirations to honour the achievements of Admiral Cheng Ho and retrace his path along the Maritime Silk Road.

The ship, which started its voyage from Huangpu in Guangzhou, China, on Jan 31, is currently docked at One15 Marina, Sentosa Cove, for the Singapore Yachting Festival.

Fu Ning spokeswoman Linda Ye, when met by journalists at Fu Ning welcoming ceremony at the marina on Thursday, said they are currently finalising the details of activities while in Melaka.

Assembled with a mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, the vessel made of teak and rosewood features a 300kwh onboard power bank from Chinese battery manufacturer CATL that is able to support the vessel’s electrical needs for one month on a single charge.

The ship was constructed by Fujian Hezhou Fuchuan Cultural Industry Development Co. founded by Lin as part of Ningde City, Fujian Province’s commitment to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to conserve the "Fuzhou watertight compartment manufacturing technology.”

The ancient technology is a traditional Chinese shipbuilding technique originating from Fuzhou in Fujian province and was inscribed into UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2010.

Ye said the vessel could take up to 42 people at one time.

"We are open if anyone is interested to charter the ship, but that is up to the local regulations.

"The main purpose of our journey is actually to have exchanges with people around the world while also promoting traditional Chinese maritime culture,” she said. - Bernama