In a time of increasing tension between East and West in Europe it is more important than ever to communicate and promote the cultural and historical ties between the Nordic countries and the countries of the Baltic Sea Region.

In June 2016 M/S Gamle Oksøy started her voyage and travelling exhibition from Bergen, Norway, to visit ports and meet the public in eight countries around the Baltic Sea. On board there were exhibitions and film screenings focusing on maritime heritage and coastal culture.

The initiative behind the voyage comes from the “Working Group on Coastal Culture and Maritime Heritage” within the Baltic Sea Heritage Cooperation, consisting of maritime museums and cultural heritage authorities from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Norway.