Pictured from left: Stefan Björk, Founder & Owner of Greencarrier and Jonas Attenius, Chair of the City Executive Board. Photo credit: Amanda Falkman.
Greencarrier and the City of Gothenburg have agreed on a shared ambition to create a long-term home for the Götheborg at Masthuggskajen. The goal is for the vessel to play a central role in a new historical experience centre scheduled to open in 2031, contributing to a more vibrant waterfront area near Järntorget.
For decades, the ship Götheborg has been a powerful symbol of Gothenburg’s role as a city of trade and maritime heritage. With the agreed permanent location — between Stena Line’s current Denmark terminal and the peninsula currently being developed outside Järntorget — this story can continue to live on and be shared even more strongly.
Greencarrier plans to develop an exciting destination integrated with the company’s new headquarters, as well as additional office space for lease. This solution creates the conditions to ensure the long-term maintenance and accessibility of the vessel, while presenting its history, voyages, and significance to Gothenburg in an engaging way for new generations of visitors.
Picture by The Swedish East India Company (SOIC), Guests & Concepts and CoForma.
– The Götheborg has played an important role in Gothenburg’s history, both through the original ship and now again in modern times. I am pleased that we have found a solution to preserve and make this invaluable part of our cultural heritage accessible to both residents and visitors, says Jonas Attenius, Chair of the City Executive Board.
Aiming to create an iconic destination
The vessel has been owned and maintained by Greencarrier since 2021, with private funds invested in the project. The destination will also be privately operated, with a long-term perspective. The city intends to sell the land at market value.
The current timeline assumes that planning work will begin immediately and that Greencarrier will gain access to the land in 2028. Parts of the quay area are currently used by Stena Line, which plans to relocate its operations to Arendal. The companies are discussing a separate agreement.
– This agreement enables us to take the next step in establishing a permanent home for the Götheborg in Gothenburg. Our ambition is to create an iconic destination and a vibrant meeting place for future generations — while strengthening the city’s role as a hub for trade and maritime activity, says Stefan Björk, owner of Greencarrier and the Götheborg.
Picture by The Swedish East India Company (SOIC), Guests & Concepts and CoForma.
A strong historical narrative of Gothenburg
Analyses conducted as part of the project indicate that the planned experience centre centred around the Götheborg could generate significant tourism-related economic impact for Gothenburg. Estimates suggest up to SEK 300 million annually once the destination has become an established visitor attraction.
The replica Götheborg embodies the immense importance of the Swedish East India Company for trade, industry, and the development of the city — not least through the donations that helped lay the foundation for institutions such as Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Chalmers University of Technology.
– We have been involved with the Götheborg since the idea of reconstructing the ship first emerged, and we know the great value it holds for Gothenburg. Strengthening this historical narrative in the heart of the city will be of great benefit to businesses, the visitor economy, and all residents. I cannot imagine a better permanent solution than the one we have now agreed upon, says Patrik Andersson, CEO of Business Region Gothenburg.
The memorandum of understanding between the city and Greencarrier means that the City of Gothenburg commits to facilitating swift progress in all parts of the project. While the declaration of intent is not legally binding, it marks the starting point for the next phase of the process.
The City of Gothenburg will need to make further decisions before the project can be realised. The next step is for Greencarrier to apply for a new or amended detailed development plan later this spring.
About the Götheborg
The Götheborg was one of the Swedish East India Company’s trading ships and completed three voyages to China between 1739 and 1745. On its return from the third voyage, the ship ran aground just outside Älvsborg Fortress at the entrance to Gothenburg and sank. A large part of the cargo was salvaged, and the entire crew survived.
Around 250 years later, in the 1990s, diving operations began at the wreck site. In 1995, construction of a full-scale reconstruction of the ship was initiated, and the replica was completed in 2003. Since then, the Götheborg has undertaken several long voyages — including to China, Australia, Brazil, and around Europe — serving as a platform for international relations and trade. In 2023, the ship participated in Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary celebrations, opening the festivities with a ceremonial salute.
For more information, visit gotheborg.se
About the Swedish East India Company (SOIC)
The Swedish East India Company was founded in 1731 and became one of Sweden’s most successful trading enterprises. During the 18th century, the company contributed significantly to the development of Gothenburg and to national progress in trade, shipping, shipbuilding, science, and infrastructure.
Today, Greencarrier is reviving the company by creating a new kind of trading enterprise, where modern commerce meets the maritime and logistics heritage of the past. Through the ownership of SOIC and the historic vessel Götheborg, a central part of Sweden’s maritime heritage is preserved and developed — while opening up new opportunities for the future of global trade.
For more information, visit soic.se
Contact:
Christian Borg, Press Manager, Business Region Gothenburg
+46 707 61 56 06
christian.borg@businessregion.se
Cecilia Jonebäck, Head of Communications, Greencarrier
+46 31 85 32 52
cecilia.joneback@greencarrier.com
Peter Wannding, Press Officer, Urban Development Administration, City of Gothenburg
+46 73 910 23 88
peter.wannding@exploatering.goteborg.se
Stefan Strömberg, Press Officer, Port of Gothenburg
+46 70 436 01 51
stefan.stromberg@portgot.se
