Uru (boat)

[2] Additionally, strict import and export laws on wood made it difficult to supply the spare parts needed to maintain and repair urus abroad.

Despite their impressive build quality, the many wooden and handcrafted components on uru boats deteriorated at faster rates than similar parts on modern metal boats and needed more frequent repairs and servicing At the same time, there was increasing availability of affordable metal dhows, which were built much faster using modern techniques as opposed to the urus which still relied on traditional and indigenous building techniques.

Puzhakkara Rameshan, a chief carpenter who has worked on multiple Urus destined for Qatar observed that, “Now many of the craftsmen are back to building Uru.

In connection with the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, we have already received a few orders from the country.”[4] The uru construction industry's resurgence is mainly attributed to centuries of trade between Western India and the Middle East.

Although urus come from Beypore in the state of Kerala, they were usually sold to Persian Gulf countries as merchant vessels, thus holding historical and cultural significance in the region.

As these countries grew in wealth, there was a desire to reconnect with their traditions and heritage, resulting in an increased demand for urus outfitted with modern amenities for luxury cruising.

From conception to completion, it is all in the mind of the master carpenter of a yard, who assigns work to his assistants on a daily basis, so as to keep the secrecy that shrouds the technology intact.