Page 136 - Dutch Ships in Tropical Waters
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emporia, these ports also played a significant role in the trade of local products, which were important for the intra-Asian trade. However, the disadvantage in this development was an increased burden on the VOC’s logistical organisation to supply these places with food. In fact, a direct route between Malacca and Siam was established for this express purpose. C t s a E Arabia Afrika Region Arabian Sea Region Bay of Bengal Region Sumatra Region Strait of Malacca Region Java Sea Region Route Spice Islands Region Route Far East Persia 320 Bengal 410 China 552 Taiwan h i n a a t s a o C l e d a m o b a r r A n y o n h t a u B o M S i a n i S fC B e S e h n C a e g a a S l e a l a b a r S t r a i t oM f I o a l a c c a Malaysia Sumatr n S a B v a d a J a S a a i d n O e a e a a Map .: Development of the frequency of the VOC shipping < The Period - India Sri Lanka The number of voyages within Asia declined in this period by %, and the volume by % compared with the period -. The loss in shipping activity in the areas around the Chi- nese Sea was not fully compensated for by the growth in other areas. During this decade, the capture of Ceylon from the Portuguese was finally accomplished. The VOC then concentrated on extending its influence in South India on the Malabar Coast (Area ). The sharp increase in visits to this area had already begun in the previous period (and increased in this one), while the purely military actions at nearby Goa (Area ) do show a declining tendency. The Malabar Coast was only partly visited for military reasons, but this destination did become important for its pepper and also as a food supplier for Ceylon. The increase in the Malabar pepper trade is mirrored by a sharp decrease in visits to the pepper harbours at Sumatra (Areas and ). During this period the English, especially in the regions of Surat, Persia and Arabia, replaced the Portuguese, as the traditional enemy. Dutch Ships in Tropical Waters Vietnam Thailand (Siam) Cambodia 224 185 Kalimantan Java 789 Sulawesi Lesser Sunda Island Spice Islands 324 Philippines Japan c e n
