How To Reach Our Concierge

Our client concierge is the dedicated liaison for all new commissions. They are not a sales team; rather, they are project facilitators with a deep understanding of the phinisi construction process, naval architecture, and the nuances of operating luxury vessels in the Indonesian archipelago. To initiate a conversation, we invite you to use the secure contact form on this page. Phinisi heritage (UNESCO ICH)

Providing preliminary details—such as intended vessel use (private expedition, luxury charter), desired length, guest capacity, and key operational requirements—allows us to prepare a more substantive and tailored initial response. This first step begins a dialogue built on precision and a mutual understanding of your objectives. South Sulawesi shipbuilding

Response Time & Process

We value considered, detailed communication. Upon receiving your enquiry, you can expect an initial acknowledgement from our concierge within 24 business hours. A comprehensive response typically follows within 48 to 72 hours. This timeframe allows our team to consult internally with our naval architects and senior shipwrights, ensuring the information we provide is accurate, relevant, and directly addresses the specifics of your potential project.

Our process is intentionally deliberate. We believe the foundation of a successful build is laid in these early, meticulous conversations. Your enquiry is the beginning of a close collaboration, and we afford it the attention it deserves from the very start.

Languages We Operate In

Our primary languages of operation are English and Bahasa Indonesia. All formal documentation, architectural plans, and project correspondence are conducted in English to maintain absolute clarity for our international clientele. Our management team and client-facing staff are fluent in both languages.

Our team has experience working with clients from across Europe, North America, and Asia. Should you require communication in another language, we can arrange for professional translation and interpretation services upon request to ensure every detail of your commission is perfectly understood.

Office Hours & Time Zones

Our administrative and client relations office operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, on Central Indonesia Time (WITA; UTC+8). This time zone is consistent with Bali and Singapore.

While our digital communications adhere to these hours, the phinisi shipyard in Bira operates according to the tides and the traditional rhythms of Konjo craftsmanship. We respect this workflow and schedule client meetings and site visits accordingly, ensuring minimal disruption to the master builders and the sacred process of bringing a vessel to life.

Visiting Bira / Bulukumba / South Sulawesi — Logistics

A visit to our shipyard is an essential part of the commissioning process, offering an immersive understanding of our craft. Clients typically fly into Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) in Makassar, which is well-connected to Jakarta (CGK) and Singapore (SIN).

From Makassar, the journey to the coastal village of Bira in the Bulukumba regency is a scenic 4-5 hour drive through the South Sulawesi countryside. We recommend arranging a private car service for comfort and convenience. Quality resort and boutique hotel accommodations are available in the Bira area, known for its pristine white-sand beaches.

For clients with confirmed appointments to visit the phinisi shipyard, our concierge team is pleased to assist with coordinating all local logistics, including ground transport and accommodation recommendations, to ensure your visit is both productive and seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes a Phinisi Shipyard vessel from others?

Our focus is on heritage and authenticity. Each vessel is built by Konjo master shipwrights in Bira, South Sulawesi, using techniques passed down through generations. We do not operate a factory; we are a traditional phinisi shipyard dedicated to preserving a UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage. This commitment to craft results in vessels with unparalleled structural integrity and a genuine soul, combining time-honoured methods with modern naval architecture and safety standards. This is slow boatbuilding, done the right way.

How long does it take to build a custom phinisi yacht?

The construction timeline for a custom phinisi depends entirely on its size, complexity, and interior fit-out specifications. As a general guide, a 35- to 40-metre luxury phinisi can take between 18 and 24 months from the laying of the keel to final sea trials. Smaller or simpler vessels may have a shorter timeline, while larger or more technically complex expedition yachts can take longer. We provide a detailed project timeline with key milestones as part of our formal proposal.

Can I fully customise the interior design and layout?

Absolutely. Customisation is at the core of our offering. We work with you and your chosen interior architect or designer to bring your vision to life. Our role is to ensure the interior plans are structurally and technically feasible within the handcrafted wooden hull. We facilitate a collaborative process between your design team and our naval architects and craftsmen, ensuring the final vessel is a perfect reflection of your personal taste and operational needs, from cabin configurations to material selection.

What primary materials do you use in construction?

We build our hulls using traditional, high-density tropical hardwoods, prized for their durability in a marine environment. The keel is typically laid with ironwood (kayu ulin), renowned for its immense strength and resistance to marine borers. For frames and planking, we use a combination of ironwood and teak (kayu jati). All timber is sourced through legal and sustainable channels, and we maintain a deep respect for the materials that give our vessels their character and longevity.

Are your vessels certified for international charter operations?

Yes. We build to meet the stringent requirements of various classification societies, depending on the client’s needs and the vessel’s intended flag state and operational area. We commonly work with the Indonesian classification society (BKI) and can build to standards certifiable by international bodies like RINA or Bureau Veritas. This ensures your vessel not only meets but exceeds safety and construction standards required for commercial charter, including SOLAS and MARPOL conventions where applicable.

What is the typical payment structure for a new build?

Our payment structure is based on the achievement of key construction milestones. This approach provides transparency and security for the client. An initial deposit secures the project and covers preliminary design and material procurement. Subsequent payments are scheduled upon the completion of major stages, such as the keel laying, framing, hull planking, engine installation, and final delivery. The specific schedule is detailed and agreed upon in the formal shipbuilding contract before any work commences.

Do you offer refit and maintenance services?

Our primary focus is on new builds that we can control from concept to completion. However, we do offer comprehensive refit, repair, and annual maintenance services exclusively for vessels built at our phinisi shipyard. This ensures the ongoing integrity and value of your asset, as the work is carried out by the same craftsmen who know its construction intimately. We believe in building lifelong relationships with our clients and their vessels.

What is the role of the Konjo people in the build process?

The Konjo people are not just part of the process; they are the heart of it. They are the master shipwrights (punggawa) and builders who hold the ancestral knowledge of phinisi construction. This craft is passed from father to son, without written blueprints, relying on instinct and deep cultural understanding. We honour their central role by ensuring the shipyard operates in a way that respects their traditions, while our management team provides the modern project oversight, naval architecture, and engineering support.

Can you arrange for the delivery of the completed vessel?

Yes, we offer full logistical support for the delivery of your completed phinisi yacht to any port worldwide. This can be arranged as a delivery voyage on its own hull, captained by an experienced crew, or via a heavy-lift ship for trans-oceanic passages. We manage the entire process, including export documentation, insurance, and coordination with shipping agents, to ensure a safe and seamless handover of your vessel at its final destination or home port.

Where exactly is the Phinisi Shipyard located?

Our shipyard is located on the shores of Bira, within the regency of Bulukumba in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This specific region is the historical and cultural cradle of phinisi shipbuilding. Its beaches have been the construction site for these magnificent vessels for centuries. A visit to our site is not just a shipyard tour; it is an immersion into a living culture where the air is filled with the sounds of woodworking and the spirit of maritime heritage.