SS Vollan

Sailing ship / Schooner

Today, “Vollan” appears as one of the fjord’s popular charter boats. This is also the vessel that is preferred at the major international events. Examples here include the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in NATO, the Chinese trade delegation and Helmut Kohl’s visit to Oslo.

When we go below deck, we find two connected salons with atmosphere. Here we easily cover up to a large 3-course dinner, or you can hold conferences, presentations or lectures with all kinds of audiovisual aids. Although Vollan is specially designed for larger representation and company tours, it is nevertheless so intimate that both weddings and other smaller gatherings are very successful. The large sailboat deck with bar also provides plenty of space for dancing and other activities.

The schooner Vollan is a schooner we are proud of. She was built in Spilboda in Sweden in 1945, as the last cargo ship in Europe with sail as the main means of propulsion. The old boat builders knew their trade, and built her entirely in oak, to be able to withstand both ice and the harsh conditions of the North and the Baltic Sea in winter. In addition to common goods, ships like the Vollan were often used to transport magnesite and quartzite — two important rock types from earlier times. Magnesite was used as an important component in refractories and insulation, while quartzite was used in the metallurgical industry. The hard work of transporting these heavy, robust materials required a solid, reliable ship, and the Vollan is an example of the steadfastness and durability of the sailboat that was built to handle such demanding tasks. S/S Vollan was formerly called Magnecita.

What makes Vollan unique is her history and design. She is one of the last remaining schooners built to carry heavy cargo at a time when the sailing vessel was almost on its way out. The solid oak construction enabled her to cope with the harshest conditions in Northern Europe, and this has made her a timeless classic. Although she now serves as an exclusive vessel for representation and private events, her history as a working vessel, carrying stone and other goods over long distances, is a reminder of the important role these ships played in the golden days of shipping. Vollan therefore represents both part of our maritime heritage and a unique piece of living history.