The historic passenger ship, now known as Astoria, faces an uncertain future after being inactive for five years. Originally the Swedish liner Stockholm, it gained notoriety for its involvement in the tragic 1956 collision with the Italian liner Andrea Doria. The Rotterdam District Court has ordered the ship to be auctioned on June 17, with proceeds going toward its dockage fees. After being moved to Rotterdam in December 2020, the ship has been the subject of various rumors, including a potential scrap sale, which the owners denied.
Launched in 1948, Stockholm was one of the first modern passenger liners, designed for year-round transatlantic service. Despite a largely unremarkable career, its legacy is marked by the 1956 incident, where it collided with Andrea Doria, resulting in the loss of 51 lives. After being rebuilt, Stockholm was sold to an East German group and later transformed into a modern cruise ship, operating under various names.
In 2013, she was renamed Astoria and continued to cruise until the pandemic halted operations. Currently owned by a Portuguese bank, the ship has been listed for sale since 2021. Given her age and deteriorating condition, it is unlikely she will return to service, with speculation suggesting she may be sold for scrap.
