China
2005 - 2007
The expedition to China
On October 2, 2005, it was finally time for the ship to leave the homeport of Gothenburg and sail its virgin voyage to China. Wherever in the world Götheborg would lay, it attracted attention. The success became bigger than anyone had ever dared to hope for.
Sunday, October 2 was a lovely warm day, ideal for a historic departure. At 1:47 pm, the ship that could not be built began her long voyage that could not be completed. More than 33,000 nautical miles lay ahead. Construction hardships and tremendous obstacles lay astern.
Götheborg majestically headed along the river, escorted by a crowd of accompanying boats and watched by tens of thousands of people along the shores and quaysides. The big adventure could begin.
This is a brief summary of Götheborg’s voyage to China 2005–2007. The ship followed the same route the East Indiamen took during the glory days of the 18th century. The same winds that blew then, blow also today.
The Journey
Cadiz
After 48 days at sea, Götheborg of Sweden arrived at her first stopover, the historic port of Cadiz. She was the starting ship for the Volvo Ocean Race. She also hosted many official receptions and sponsor events at her stopovers. In Cadiz, like everywhere else, the ship attracted great interest and extensive media attention, just as planned.
Recife & Cape Town
After nine days, Götheborg of Sweden took a southwest course to Recife in Brazil, a journey that took 32 days. After a week filled with official commitments and stocking up with provisions, the ship set sail for Cape Town. With the help of the west winds, the voyage took 41 days across the Atlantic. On February 19, Götheborg arrived in one of the world’s most beautiful harbours for ship maintenance, sponsor activities, and official commitments. There was also a change of ship crew here.
Port Elizabeth, Fremantle & Jakarta
Between March 9 and 25, Götheborg made a very high-profile stopover in Port Elizabeth and then set sail for Fremantle. This was the longest leg of the expedition that, with the help of strong west winds, took 49 days.
After Fremantle, the voyage continued northward towards the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. After passing both the equator and Christmas Island, the ship moored at Jakarta on June 18. Ten days later she sailed the South China Sea towards Guangzhou (Canton). In mid-July, the ship finally reached the mouth of the Pearl River, the Tiger’s Mouth.
Guangzhou (Canton)
After folding the masts for power cables and bridges, the ship reached its historic destination of Guangzhou (Canton) with great pomp and ceremony. The dream had come true, a complete success. The subsequent reception ceremonies on July 21 – attended by senior Chinese dignitaries, the King and Queen of Sweden, main sponsors and partners – were grandiose, to say the least.
Shanghai
After a few weeks of official receptions, press viewings, exhibitions, and sponsor activities, Götheborg of Sweden continued northward through the Formosa Strait to Shanghai. The long, adventurous home voyage to Gothenburg began on October 28, 2006.
Hong Kong & Singapore
Before the voyage home, maintenance was carried out on the ship at a shipyard outside of Shanghai. On October 28 she was ready and set sail. One month later she reached Hong Kong for a high-profile two-week stopover. On December 30 she reached Singapore, one of the world’s largest ports. After two weeks, a crew change and New Year’s celebrations it was time to continue the voyage home, which was now taking a slightly different route than the original.
Chennai
On January 31, 2007, Götheborg of Sweden reached Chennai, and hosted the largest trade event Sweden has ever held in India. 300 top Indian politicians along with crowds of people showed an interest in the ship and the little Scandinavian country. 25,000 delighted Indians were lucky enough to get a closer look at the ship on board.
Djibouti
In the summer of 2015, Götheborg of Sweden became the largest sailing ship that ever sailed in Lake Vänern during the three-week tour Vänern Tour. The tour was a huge success with an amazing reception in the five cities that the ship visited. In total, 46,000 people got on board to visit the ship and the quayside was transformed into a festival.
Alexandria, Nice & London
The voyage went through the Red Sea and in convoy through the Suez Canal. The ship arrived in Alexandria on the morning of Saturday, March 31 for a visit on behalf of the Västra Götaland County. Three days later Götheborg set sail for Europe and Nice on the French Riviera. The ship arrived in Nice on April 17 for an eight-day stopover before heading for the tenth stop, London.
Götheborg of Sweden reached the British capital on May 19. After two intensive weeks of official visits, sponsor activities, exhibitions, and viewings, the course was finally set for the North Sea and the homeport of Gothenburg.
Gothenburg
The final leg took 7 days and on Saturday, June 9, the now world-famous vessel was sighted off Vinga. It had been over 250 years since a Swedish Ship had saluted her homecoming. Needless to say, the reception by the city and the people of Gothenburg was worthy of a global star.
After 615 days at sea, 14 towns on 5 continents and 300,000 visitors aboard, the mission was complete. The project fulfilled an ambassadorial role for Swedish culture and trade, as well as opening up opportunities and doors for sponsors and partners. The ship that could not be built nor sailed was back with star status.