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Rederi AB Gotland
 
Part 2 - The Car Ferries 1962-1987
 
 
This page is one of a series devoted to postcards of the ferry companies which have served the island of Gotland. Separate pages have been added to show the ferries of Gotlandslinjen and Destination Gotland. This page covers Rederi AB Gotland car ferries from 1962 until 1987. Gotland - Part 1 covers passenger ship up to 1962.
 
An alphabetical list of ships covered on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in alphabetical order.
 
Rederi AB Gotland provided services to the Gotland for an unbroken run of 122 years up to 1987, when the operating rights passed to Nordström & Thulin subsidiary Gotlandslinjen. Following the Estonia disaster (owned by another Nordström & Thulin subsidiary Estline) the parent company announced that it would abandon passenger ferries, and Gotland services have reverted back to the original company, now trading as Destination Gotland.
 
 
Ships on This Page (1962-87):-
Drotten (2) - 1980-82
Gotland (3) - 1964-73
Gotland (4) - 1973-89
Gotland (5) - 1981
Gotlandia (1) - 1967-1978
Hoburgen - 2000-
Ölänningen - 1967-1972
Polhem (2) - 1966-1972
Polhem (3) - 1976-1981
Thjelvar (2) - 1962-1964
Thjelvar (3) - 1973-74
Visby (2) - 1964-70
Visby (3) - 1972-80
Visby (4) - 1980-87,1997-2003
Visborg (1) - 1961-63
Visborg (2) - 2003
 
Ships on Page 1 (1866-1962):-
Brynhild - 1944 (charter)
Carlsö - 1925-60
Christofer Polhem - 1955-63
Drotten (1) - 1940-66
Gotland (1) - 1868-1935
Gotland (2) - 1936-64
Hansa - 1899-1944
Polhem (1) - 1889-1928
Thjelvar (1) - 1876-1955
Vineta - 1913-16
Visby (1) - 1924-63
Wisby - 1866-1914
 
Associated Pages:-
Gotland - Page 1 - Gotland Passenger Perries 1866-1962
Gotland - Page 2 - Gotland Car Ferries 1962-1987 - this page!
Destination Gotland - Ran Gotland services 1998-
Gotlandslinjen - Ran Gotland services 1987-1998
Sessan Line
Scandinavisk Linietrafik
Viking Lines
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Drotten (2)  Visby, Corsica Viva II, Corsica Regina, Sardinia Regina

 1972
 Gotland (4)  Corsica Victoria

 1973
 Gotland (5)  Wasa Star, Peter Wessel

 1981
 Polhem  Scania, Scania Express, Nereus

 1963
 Thjelvar (2)  Prinsessan Margaretha, Wasa Express (1)

 1955
 Thjelvar (4)  Travemünde, Travemünde Link, Sally Star, Wasa Express

 1981
 Visby (3)  Drotten, Corsica Viva II, Corsica Regina, Sardinia Regina

 1972
 Visby (4)  Felicity, Stena Felicity

 1980
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland Fleet List
Part 2 - The Car Ferries 1962-87
 
 
 
 
Thjelvar (2)
(Gotland: 1962-1964)
 
Thjelvar was built in 1955 as the Prinsessan Margaretha of Rederi AB Göteborg-Frederikshavn Linjen (Sessan Line). She served with Rederi AB Gotland between 1962-64, under the name Thjelvar , before being sold to Oy Vaasa - Umeå AB as the Wasa Express (I).
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Gotlandbolagets Thjelvar at Visby.
Produced by: Grafisk Konst, serial number: 24196 - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Gotlandbolagets Thjelvar at Västervik.
Produced by: Förlag Thoren´s Bokhandel, Västervik - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Gotlandbolagets Thjelvar leaving Gotland.
Produced by: Ab Grafisk Konst (serial 22/21) - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Gotlandbolagets Thjelvar leaving Gotland.
Produced by: COP.Gotlandskonst - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visby (2)
(Gotland: 1964-1970)
 
The second Visby was built in Holland in 1964 for Rederi Ab Gotland. In 1965 and 1967-70 she was chartered to Viking Line for the Kapellskär-Mariehamn-Pargas service. In 1966 she was chartered to TT-Line for their Trelleborg-Travemünde service. She was sold to Polferries in 1970, becoming the Skandynawia on the Ystad-Swinoujscie service. In 1981 Skandynawia was sold for further service in the Far East.
 
 
Company postcard of Visby.
 
 
 
Company postcard of Visby.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
Postcard of Visby.
 
 
 
Ultraforläget postcard 739 of Visby at Nynäshamn.
Photo: T.Lindeberg.
 
 
 
An official Viking Line postcard of Visby, whilst on charter.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gotland (3) (Gotland: 1964-73)
Thjelvar (3) (Gotland: 1973-74)
 
The third Gotland was built in Holland in 1964 for Rederi Ab Gotland. In 1973 she was renamed Thjelvar to release the name Gotland for the new ship Gotland (4). She was sold to an Italian company in 1974, but returned to Northern Europe at regular intervals on charters.
 
 
Postcard of Gotland (3).
 
 
 
Postcard of Gotland (3).
 
 
 
Postcard of Gotland (3).
 
 
 
Postcard of Gotland (3).
 
 
 
Official Gotland postcard 14637 of Thjelvar at Visby.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Polhem (2)
(Gotland: 1966-1972)
 
Polhem (2) was built as Kraakerø for A/S Birger Svendsen & Söner, Fredrikstad, Norway, in 1964, by Langesunds M.V. A/S, Langesund. She entered service in June 1964, between Strömstad and Kragerø, soon moving to Arendal-Lysekil and Kragerø-Skagen. Kraakerø was sold in October 1964 to Rederi Ab G.H. Linjen, Höganäs as Gilleleje, for service between Höganäs and Gilleleje. During the summer of 1965, she was chartered to Rederi Ab Nordö, Oskarshamn, for service between Oxelösund and Kappelshamn. In November 1965 Gilleleje was sold to Rederi Ab Gotland, and was renamed Polhem (2). During the summer of 1966 she served Västervik-Visby-Grankullavik-Oskarshamn. In April 1972, Polhem (2) was sold to the Tourship Group (Corsica Ferries) and adopted the name Corsica Ferry for sevice between Bastia and Livorno.In 1976 Corsica Ferry was sold to Jadranska Linijska Plovidba, Rijeka (Jadrolinija) and renamed Lastovo I (1). She initially ran Split-Hvar-Vela Luka-Ubli. In 1978 she was renamed Partizanka (3), and then Ston (2) in 1992. She was sold by Jadrolinija in 1996, subsequent names being Stone and Gunitz.
 
 
Photo of Kraakerø
Photo: © Trygve Schönfelder - Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Photo of Gilleleje
Photo: © Andreas Wörteler - Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Photo of Polhem (2) at Visby, 24th January 1966
Photo: © Bo Friberg - Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Photo of Polhem (2)
Photo: © Per Jensen - Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
Photo of Polhem (2)
Photo: © Andreas Wörteler - Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gotlandia (1)
(Gotland: 1967-1978)
 
Gotlandia was built in 1965 for Rederi Ab Pool, Oskarshamn (Rederi Ab Nordö), for service between Södertälje-Kappelshamn. She is the sistership of Ölänningen. In 1967 she was sold to Gotlandstrafiken Ab, Visby (Rederi Ab Gotland). In 1978 she was sold to Greek owners.
 
 
Official Gotlandsfärjen postcard 24455 of Gotlandia.
 
 
 
Official Gotlandsfärjen postcard 24455 of Gotlandia.
 
 
 
Melchiors Bokhandel, Oskarshamn, postcard 119 of Gotlandia at Oskarshamn.
Photo: T.Lindeberg - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Enlarged view from the Melchiors Bokhandel postcard above of Gotlandia.
The ship on the left is Gotlanningen, later Elba Prima of Moby Lines - Photo: T.Lindeberg.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Klinte postcard 6691 of Gotlandia at Oskarshamn.
 
 
 
Axel Melchiors postcard 172 of Gotlandia at Oskarshamn.
Photo: T.Lindeberg.
 
 
 
Axel Melchiors postcard 147 of Gotlandia at Oskarshamn.
Photo: T.Lindeberg.
 
 
 
Official Rederi AB Gotland postcard of Gotlandia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ölänningen
(Gotland: 1967-1972)
 
Ölänningen was built for Rederi Ab Nordö, Klintehamn, in 1965 for their Gotlandsfärjen services to Gotland. She is the sistership of Gotlandia. In 1966 she was chartered to Juelsminde-Kalundborg Linien. From 1967-72 Ölänningen was chartered to Rederi Ab Gotland. In 1972 she was sold to Mexican State Railways (SEMATUR) for service in the Gulf of California as Benito Juarez. Photos of Benito Juarez laid up in Mazatlan are available on this link.
 
 
Multi-view postcard of Ölänningen at Västervik.
Published by E.Hultgrens, serial number 2098. Photo: C.G.Bäckström.
 
 
 
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visby (3) (Gotland: 1972-80)
Drotten (2) (Gotland: 1980-82)
 
The third Visby was built in Yugoslavia for the Okershamn (Sweden)-Visby (Gotland) service of Rederi AB Gotland in 1972. She was renamed Drotten in 1980. During her career, she also operated on charter to Viking Line and Miura Line. She was sold in October 1985 to Corsica Ferries, and renamed Corsica Viva II. She was rebuilt with extra accommodation in 1989, and renamed Corsica Regina. In 1995 she was transferred to Sardinia Ferries, and renamed Sardinia Regina.
 
A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Visby.
 
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Visby.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
A.Duncan photographic postcard of Drotten
On charter to Miura Line in 1984 for service between Genoa and Barcelona.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gotland (4)
(Gotland:1973-89)
 
The fourth Gotland was built in Yugoslavia for the Nyashamn (Sweden)-Visby (Gotland) service of Rederi AB Gotland in 1973. During her career, she also operated on charter to TT-Line, Brittany Ferries, Mols Linien, and Sealink Dieppe Ferries. She was sold in 1989 to Corsica Ferries, and renamed Corsica Victoria. She was rebuilt with extra accommodation in 1990, which spoilt her sleek lines.
 
A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Gotland.
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Gotland.
Photo: Bo Appeeltoft.
 
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Gotland.
 
 
 
Official AB Gotland postcard of Gotland.
 
 
 
Melchiors postcard 193 of Gotland.
Photo: Torkel Lindeberg.
 
 
 
A.Duncan photographic postcard of Gotland.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp1119 (issued September 1992) of Gotland
On charter to Brittany Ferries for use on the Portsmouth-Caen route.
Photographed by Mike Louagie at Portsmouth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Polhem (3)
(Gotland: 1967-1971)
 
Polhem (3) was ordered by Rederi AB Svea in 1963 for a Gräddö-Mariehamn service by Express Linjen. However, on delivery she began service as the Scania with Skandinavisk Linietrafik between Korsör-Kiel. In 1967 Scania transferred to the Landskrona-Tuborg Havn route until she was sold in 1971 to Oy Vaasa-Umeå Ab. After renaming as Scania Express, she served on the Vasa - Umeå route until 1976, when she passed to Rederi Ab Gotland, under the name of Polhem. She was sold for service in the Eastern Mediterranean in 1981 as the Nereus. She was lost in 1989. A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
I do not have a postcard of Polhem (3)
If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk
 
 
Official Skandinavisk Linietrafik (Scandinavian Ferry Lines) postcard of Scania, before service with Gotland.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visby (4) (Gotland: 1980-87, 1997-2003)
Visborg (2) (Gotland: 2003)
 
The fourth Visby was built in Landskrona, Sweden, in 1980 for Rederi AB Gotland. Sistership Gotland (5) never sailed for Rederi AB Gotland. When the Gotland franchise passed to Gotlandslinjen in 1987, Visby was chartered to them until 1990, when she was chartered to Sealink for service between Fishguard-Rosslare, and renamed Felicity. She was soon renamed Stena Felicity. In 1997 she was returned to Rederi AB Gotland, and re-entered Gotland service in 1998 under original name Visby. In 2003 Visby (4) was renamed Visborg to release her name for the new Visby (5). Later the same year, Visborg was sold to Polska Zegluga Baltyska and renamed Scandinavia for Polferries' Gdansk-Nynäshamn service.
 
A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard of Visby.
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard of Visby.
Photo: Tommie Jacobsson.
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard of Visby.
Photo: Hans Hemlin.
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard (Immenco 8083) of Visby.
Photo: Hans Hemlin.
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard (Immenco 8084) of Visby.
Photo: Hans Hemlin.
 
 
 
Rederi AB Gotland official postcard (serial 8081) of Visby.
Photo: Hans Hemlin.
 
 
 
Melchiors postcard 16701 of Visby.
Photo: Anders Wiren.
 
 
 
Official postcard 8076 of Visby in Destination Gotland colours.
 
 
 
Official postcard 25958 of Visby in Destination Gotland colours.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gotland (5)
(Gotland: 1981)
 
The fifth Gotland was built by Öresundsvarvet Ab, Landskrona, in 1981, but never carried the name. She was a sistership to Visby. She was chartered to Oy Vasa-Umeå Ab (Vaasanlaivat/Vasabåtarna) before delivery, as the Wasa Star. In 1983, Wasa Star was chartered to the Greek Karageorgis Line but was returned early following a dispute over payments. She was then sold the same year to Larvik Line for their Larvik-Frederikshavn route, becoming the fourth Peter Wessel. In 1997, the Larvik Line operation passed to Color Line. A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
An official postcard of Wasa Star.
 
 
 
 
 
 
St Nicholas
Stena Normandy
Normandy
(owned by Gotland: 1989-99)
 
This ship was owned by Rederi AB Gotland between 1989-99, although she never operated on their services. She served on charters as St Nicholas, Stena Normandy, and Normandy during this period. Normandy was originally ordered by Sessan Line for their Gothenburg-Frederikshavn service. Sessan Line was taken over by Stena Line, and the ship was chartered to Sealink for use on Harwich-Hook of Holland service as the St Nicholas. In 1989 she was sold to Rederi AB Gotland, but remained in Sealink service. In 1990, Sealink was taken over by Stena Line AB. St Nicholas was transferred to a new Southampton-Cherbourg service as the Stena Normandy in 1991. This route closed in 1996, and Tallink took her on charter in 1997 as the Normandy. Irish Ferries took Normandy on charter for their Ireland-France services in 1998, retaining the (appropriate) name. Normandy was purchased by Irish Ferries in 1999, and continues to operate on this service.
 
 
Official Tallink card of Normandy, on charter from owners Rederi AB Gotland.
Produced by Niklas Vykort AB 811 - Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
Irish Ferries official postcard of Normandy, on charter from owners Rederi AB Gotland
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hoburgen
(Gotland: 2000- )
 
Hoburgen was built in Romania as the Balder Ra, one of eight sisterships ordered by Norwegian compant Balder A/S. She was almost immediately renamed Bazias 5, and was laid up until 1988, when sold to Navrom (Romanian State S.S. Co.). In 1995 she was renamed Perseus. Between 1996-99 she was chartered to Dart Line for their Dartford-Vlissingen service as the Dart 5. In 2000 she was bought by Rederi Ab Gotland, and renamed Hoburgen. In 2001, Hoburgen was chartered to Cobelfret Ferries of Rotterdam-Purfleet traffic, followed by charters to DFDS Tor Line, Isle of Man SP Co and Transfennica. In 2005 she was chartered to Ferryways for their Oostende-Immingham service. This charter finished in December 2005. Hoburgen was chartered to Balearia for Barcelona to Majorca service in January 2006.
 
 
Photo: Cees de Bijl, Europoort, 14th August 2003.
 
 
 
Photo: Cees de Bijl, Europoort, 14th August 2003.
 
 
 
Photo: Cees de Bijl, Europoort, 14th August 2003.
 
 
Hoburgen at Oostende, 23rd August 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 

Hoburgen at Oostende, 26th August 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 
 
 
Hoburgen at Oostende, 27th September 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 
 
 
Hoburgen at Oostende, 11th November 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 
 
 
Hoburgen at Oostende, 11th November 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 
 
 
Hoburgen at Oostende, 7th December 2005.
Photo: © Photo Tropic (Yvan Broux)
 
 
 
 
 
 
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