Kendari Port Development: The Meeting Point of Shipping and Trade Route in East Coast of Sulawesi, 1831-1945

Abstract

This article analyses the ups and downs of Kendari port development since 1831 until Japanese occupation ended in Indonesia. This study tries to place Kendari port as the main port with areas that become the link of traditional and modern trade routes at the east coast of Sulawesi. Moreover, Kendari has become Collecting Center port since the 16th century, therefore, the connectivity between Kendari port and other regions is quite close. This study used primary source in the form of official record of the colonial government and secondary source in the form of publication related to the topic of the study. The study found that traditionally the trade relation of Kendari port with other regions originated from two routes, namely Wawonii island and Bokori island, while in the colonial period the role of the Dutch government made Kendari as a modern port so that the port developed rapidly as one of the links for KPM shipping and trade and Bugis traders who were still active until the 20th century. This role continued in Japan, but it was no longer a trading port, but as a Japanese naval base.