The company buys, sells and operates vessels, despite the Second World War. The business expands and the dry-cargo vessels, all of which are named after operas, are added to the fleet.
Many countries lose much of their merchant fleet in the war. Following the declaration of peace in 1945, demand for tonnage and transport facilities revives.
1949
Tankers with a family name
MT SOYA-MARIA is delivered, named after Olof Wallenius' mother. A further ten women in the Wallenius family will go on to lend their names to the company's tankers.
MT SOYA-MARIA (2) was delivered in 1960.
1944
One of the world's largest tankers
MT SOYA, 16,225 dwt, is delivered and at the time of launching is one of the largest tankers in the world. She is also the first of the company's fleet of large tankers. Seven tankers, ranging from 9,000 to 17,000 tonnes, are built between 1944 and 1952.
Back to Swedenborgsgatan
The company moves to new offices at Swedenborgsgatan 2, a street in which it has since remained. Future moves will be to other premises on the same street.
1943
Breaking the blockade
The newly purchased tanker MT KALMIA succeeds in breaking the blockade. She then operates for several years in traffic between Lisbon and the West Indian island of Aruba.
1942
The only war-time loss
SS TOLKEN hits a mine and sinks off the coast of Canada. All the crew survive, and the ship's bell floats all the way across the Atlantic and is found in Ireland. Olof Wallenius and his wife Signe give the bell a place of honour in their home.
1941
The first dry-cargo vessel
The company purchases MS KOLSNAREN, and renames her MS RIGOLETTO. Because of Olof Wallenius’ passion for opera, the company then names its entire fleet of dry-cargo vessels after operas, from which the company earns the nickname "The Opera Line".
1940
The small tankers are sold
The company sells all its small SOYA vessels, except for SOYA V whose master is qualified only for domestic traffic. Olof Wallenius promises to retain the vessel so long as the master remains in service.