A company from 1869...

The Göta Canal Steamship Company Ltd was founded on 27 February 1869. Its first boat was named Motalaström and had been built in 1855. In addition to deck passengers, she took 20 passengers in first class, 16 in second class and 12 in third class.

Business soon exceeded expectations and two new boats, Venus and Juno, were ordered from the Motala Werkstad shipyard. The Juno was delivered in 1874 and is still in operation, representing a unique length of service – today she is the world’s oldest registered passenger boat with sleeping accommodation.

In 1876 collaboration was started with the travel agency Thomas Cook & Co in London and the Göta Canal Steamship Company became the first company that sought to attract tourists to Sweden. By the 1880s, the company had no less than 11 boats in service, several of which were combined cargo and passenger vessels. After an interruption during the First World War, the steamers started operating again in the 1920s.

Posters and holiday brochures in 16 languages were spread all over the world. During this period, it was also possible to travel half the distance by coach and make sightseeing stops in western Sweden. From Jönköping, passengers continued to Stockholm by canal steamer.

As the 30s approached, the outlook was bright. A new passenger steamer, Diana, was built and delivered in 1931. However, the early 30s saw a dramatic change taking place with economic depression and tourists failed to appear in sufficient numbers. In 1939 World War II broke out and boats were laid up.

During the period 1947-1956, the company was run by several owners with varying success. In 1957 the company was bought by shipowner Helge Källsson in Lidköping. The three ships Juno, Wilhelm Tham and Diana were carefully modernised. In 1986, Helge Källsson's daughter, Britmari Brax, bought the company from her father. Since January 2001, the shipping line is a member of the Strömma Group, a company oriented towards unique travel experiences and with a long tradition in the preservation and operation of historic vessels.