Port of Malacca in History

Port of Malacca was founded in 1391 as a trading center on the Strait of Malacca. Malacca situated between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra provided the principal passage into the South China Sea.

Even though the precise origin of Malacca are disputed, it is appears that a prince of Palembang by the name of Parameswara fled after the Majapahit attack in 1377 and eventually found his way to Malacca.

According to the experts, the name of Malacca is actually derived for the Arabic word ‘malakat’, meaning ‘market’.

Port of Malacca was a good port, accessible in all season and on the narrowest part of the Straits. Parameswara then proceeded to establish Malacca as a major international port by compelling passing sips to call them and establishing fair and reliable facilities for warehousing and trade.

The founding and development Port of Malacca as an important entrepot and commercial town for ships and traders led to a tremendous increase in maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

It is important port for traders travelling between Ceylon and Indian ports to China and other Southeast Asian ports.

By the end of the fifteenth century, Port of Malacca trade had reached it peak. The Port of Malacca at that time was the richest seaport with the greatest number of wholesale merchants and abundance of shipping and trade that can be found in the whole world.

The port of Malacca provided a safe and was well policed and it was a center of shipbuilding and repair and a market for ships constructed elsewhere.

In July 1511, a Portuguese fleet led by Alfonso de Albuquerque attacked the Port of Malacca. It was the starting point the European colonization of the Far East.

Occupation of the port gave the Portuguese control over the strategic Strait of Malacca and the route to the Spice Islands.
Port of Malacca in History