Sunda Kelapa a fading, ancient seaport

Tha Jakarta Post

Sunda Kelapa was known for centuries as a trading hub, which connects the area known today as Indonesia with many Asian and European cities.

In the 12th Century, foreign ships brought porcelain, silk, perfume, horses and wine to local people, who then exchanged them, mostly for spices.

Geopolitical changes marked by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the growth, much later, of Singapore with its modern seaport left Sunda Kelapa overshadowed.

Today, Sunda Kelapa is only a minor seaport that handles fewer than 10 ships a day.

Vessels, mostly from from Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra, bring timber and return home with iron, cement and a variety of household goods.