The legendary liner Stockholm, best known for its tragic 1956 collision with the Andrea Doria, has reached the end of its long journey: on June 17, 2025, it was sold for scrapping. The only bidder at the auction held in Rotterdam was Belgian recycling firm Galloo, which offered the starting price of €200,000. In addition to this amount, the company will also need to settle outstanding port fees before the ship can be removed.
Built in 1948, the vessel was one of the first passenger liners constructed after World War II. Originally serving the Swedish American Line as Stockholm, it was later transformed into a cruise ship under multiple names, most recently as Astoria (15,000 gross tons).
The ship remained in operation for over 70 years and sailed under names like Italia I, Valtur Prima, Caribe, Athena, Azores, and finally Astoria. It was laid up in 2020 following the bankruptcy of its operator, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), and was later transferred to investors who tried to repurpose it.
In 2024, two bloggers snuck aboard the ship in Rotterdam and documented its deteriorating condition—a result of years of neglect. Despite that, much of its original structure remained intact.
Now, the ship faces its final voyage: in July, Galloo plans to tow it to a certified recycling yard in Ghent, Belgium. The 160-meter vessel, once capable of carrying more than 500 passengers, holds over 12,000 tons of materials. It is expected that up to 97% of the ship will be recycled into reusable raw materials.
Thus, the story of Stockholm/Astoria comes to an end, leaving behind a lasting legacy in 20th-century maritime history.
