THE SWEDISH SHIP GÖTHEBORG

REDISCOVERING THE WORLD

A historic adventure

The Swedish Ship Götheborg is the world’s largest wooden ship sailing. The ship has a fascinating history of adventure, entrepreneurship, craftsman-ship and international trade.

Today, she voyages across the oceans in order to promote cultural exchange, peaceful trade and international relations.

The project creates cross-border meetings and inspires people to realize their dreams and to rediscover the world.

In 1731, the original Swedish East India Company was established.

The company had exclusive rights to trade with the East Indies, building 37 ships and conducting 132 trade voyages.

The company mainly imported exclusive products such as silk, tea, spices and porcelain for wealthy merchants in Europe.

The Swedish East India Company

The original ship Götheborg

Götheborg was built at the Terra Nova shipyard in Stockholm in 1738.

On her third voyage, returning from China after 30 months at sea, she ran aground and sank just two kilometers from her home port of Gothenburg. Fortuitously, nobody was lost and most of the cargo was salvaged.

1745Götheborg runs aground

Underwater archaeological excavations

1984The wreck was rediscovered by a group of divers. The dream of building a new East

Indiaman using old techniques and sailing the oceans once more was brought to life.

A new ship of the old variety

1995-2005

Götheborg was built using old methods and the same materials as for the original ships. The construction placed great demands on the craftsmanship and research. More than 2,300 yd2 of hand-stitched sails, 55,000 hand-forged nails and 22 short tons of hand-beaten ropes went into the construction. The hull consists of 1,073 yd3 of wood.

To meet today’s demands for safety, the ship is also equipped with modern technology.

The world’s largest wooden ship sailing

Displacement

1323short tons

Sail area

2350yd 2

192foot

Length

154Height

foot

80Crew

people

36Beam

foot

A dream comes true2005 – 2007

GothenburgLondon

Cádiz

Nice

Recife

Cape Town Fremantle

Jakarta

Hong Kong

Canton

Chennai

Singapore

Djibouti

AlexandriaShanghai

Port Elizabeth

After many years of dedication and hard work, the ship is finally ready for her first expedition. The incredible voyage to China attracts worldwide attention.

Gothenburg - Shanghai Shanghai - Gothenburg

CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO AND H.M. KING CARL XVI GUSTAF

500million USD

Media value

The ship’s voyage are followed by the world’s media. National TV broadcasts are interspersed with radio reports and more than 12,000 articles were written about the ship.

A PR success

The Swedish Ship Götheborg creates a meeting place for people of all ages, cultures and nationalities. The ship’s continuing journeys to new locations around the world is made possible by the strong desire for adventure, innovation and entrepreneurship. Since being launched in 2005 the ship has been used for everything, from official opening ceremonies to cultural events.

2008Baltic Sea Tour

Commemoration 1809 Sweden-Finland, Helsinki

2009Scandinavian Tour

Start vessel for the Volvo Ocean Race

Childhood Foundation’s 10 year jubilee

Inauguration of Kosterhavet Marine National Park

EU meeting of ministers

2010China’s vice president visits the ship

Crown Princess Victoria’s wedding in Stockholm

Sail Amsterdam

Become a partner of the project

Book corporate events

Sail as a volunteer

Organize seminars and workshops

Develop new partnerships

Book the ship for your city

Be part of the adventure

Founders:

WWW.SOIC.SE

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