KARACHI:
A sharp rise in fuel prices has significantly increased the cost of boat construction in coastal areas of Karachi, including Ibrahim Hyderi, placing additional financial pressure on the community.
According to local boat builders, the cost of building a standard fishing boat has increased from Rs 500,000 to Rs 700,000, while the cost of medium-sized boats has also increased by around Rs 200,000, pushing their cost to nearly Rs 900,000. The hike is attributed not only to rising fuel prices, but also to rising costs of wood, iron, paint and others. materials used in boat construction.
The coastal areas of Karachi are known for building a wide range of vessels, from small ‘tikri’ boats to large cruisers such as the 100-foot ‘rach’ and 150-foot ‘goja’. High quality and expensive woods like sheesham, Burmese teak, deodar, partial and imported African ‘balau’ are commonly used in their construction.
Pakistan’s traditional boat-building expertise is highly valued internationally, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The construction process begins with the assembly of the curved base timber (pathan), beam-like structures (mehra) and the rear component (sukhan), after which the complete structure of the boat takes shape.
The coastal settlement of Ibrahim Hyderi presents a vibrant scene, where hundreds of fishing boats are either anchored after returning from deep waters or in preparation for departure. Activities include net weaving, fueling, ice loading and minor repairs, as well as building new boats and renovating old ones. Skilled artisans add intricate paintings and decorative designs when finished.
However, this traditional industry is now under pressure. Local boat builders – known as “wada” – are very concerned about inflation. Renowned boat builder Imtiaz Sabri said that construction of new boats has become difficult for fishermen as the costs of materials and equipment have increased significantly.
Kamal Shah, spokesperson for the Coastal Media Centre, noted that fishermen are already grappling with increased operational costs, including fuel and ice for fishing trips ranging from daily to monthly expeditions. Today, with boat building becoming increasingly expensive, many are reluctant to invest in new vessels, raising concerns about the long-term impacts on livelihoods and the sustainability of this traditional craft.
It is worth noting that in the coastal centers of Karachi, including Karachi Fish Harbour, boats of various sizes are built, from small two-person vessels to massive launches capable of catching and storing up to 100 tonnes of fish. Smaller boats like the “tikri” carry two fishermen, while the “hori” boats can accommodate up to five. The largest vessels range from 10 to 12 foot “donde” boats to 16 to 24 foot launches, culminating in enormous “rach” and “goja” boats stretching up to 100 and 150 feet, respectively.
