2017 will be the final season when cruise ships can dock at Frihamnen. The area will form part of a major urban development with the construction of homes and offices, forcing the current cruise terminal to find a new location.
The new central cruise terminal will be at Stigbergskajen in Masthugget. The quay and part of the terminal building, Amerikaskjulet, are being restored and will be ready to welcome vessels from spring 2018. The new name, America Cruise Terminal, evokes memories of the terminal’s illustrious past.
'The location is ideal as it is within walking distance of the inviting and vibrant districts of Majorna, Linné and Haga, and just a short journey by public transport or chartered bus into the city center,' said Jill Söderwall, vp cruise at Gothenburg Port Authority. 'Now that the beautiful and historically significant Amerikaskjulet is about to be revived as a passenger terminal, cruise guests can look forward to a warm and authentic reception.'
Amerikaskjulet was constructed in 1912 and operated as a passenger terminal until 1975. The building was then converted into offices, however the quay has been used occasionally by naval vessels and school ships. Part of Amerikaskjulet will now be converted into a reception hall with a tourist information office, souvenir shop and other facilities.
The maximum length for vessels calling at America Cruise Terminal will be 225 meters, 25 meters longer than the maximum length at Frihamnen.
'We believe that America Cruise Terminal will lead to more cruise companies including Gothenburg on their itinerary,' Söderwall said. 'The extremely keen competition to attract cruise ships makes a good welcome extremely important.'
Around half the ships that call each year sail under the Älvsborg Bridge and dock centrally. The largest vessels will continue to dock at the terminal at Arendal.
Before America Cruise Terminal's 2018 inaugural season, the whole of the outside of Stigbergskajen will be renovated. Ten meters of the quay will be demolished and rebuilt, the bollards will be reinforced, ramps will be constructed and parking spaces for buses will be created.
It is an old quay—the first in Gothenburg for ocean-going traffic—and it is in considerable need of repair and renovation, Söderwall said, adding the port is working 'flat out' to have things ready for the first call in 2018.
Seventeen vessels are already booked for the new terminal.
Completed in 1912, Amerikaskjulet at Stigbergskajen was one of the first buildings in Gothenburg built entirely of concrete. Swedish American Line began operating in 1915 and from there the company’s large trans-Atlantic liners departed.
For many years the arrival and departure of Gripsholm, Drottningholm, Stockholm and Kungsholm were the cause of great public celebration for local people, who lined the quayside waving banners and flags. One of the more famous passengers was Greta Garbo, who emigrated to the US in 1925.
Swedish American Line went on to become one of the world’s leading cruise operators with a very exclusive clientele.
Passenger traffic came to an end in 1975.
Gothenburg's modern cruise business peaked in 2014 with 73 calls, carrying 108,000 passengers. That declined to 52 calls with 100,000 passengers in 2015, and last year there were 34 calls with 56,000 passengers.
The port cited 'keen competition from other ports, particularly in Denmark.'
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