Our recently completed projects
Al-Safina Enterprises recently completed the construction of a traditional wooden dhow (Sambuk) measuring 140 feet in overall length, 33 feet in beam, and 12.5 feet in moulded depth. The vessel was custom-built for Mr. Ahmed Hussain Al Al Sada of the Al Sada Group, Qatar, as a private and personal asset, representing a seamless blend of heritage design and technical precision.
The project was led by Mr. Sathyan Edathodi, the chief master craftsman of Al-Safina Enterprises, whose distinguished career spans over four decades in wooden dhow construction. Under his direction, a team of 15 skilled artisans executed each phase of the build — from hull shaping and keel alignment to interior joinery and finishing — ensuring complete adherence to traditional standards of Arabian shipbuilding.
The vessel’s primary structural framework is crafted from premium-grade Teak wood, renowned for its strength, stability, and resilience against marine conditions. Complementary sections utilize Malaysian Kwila (Merbau) and other dense hardwoods, providing both reinforcement and aesthetic harmony across the hull and deck. Each timber was carefully seasoned, shaped, and assembled using time-tested lofting and bending methods that preserve the authenticity of classical dhow architecture.
This 140-foot Sambuk stands as a fine example of modern execution within a traditional framework — built not merely as a vessel, but as a statement of personal legacy and maritime heritage.
