Norway Uncovers 18th-Century Merchant Shipwreck with Chinese Porcelain Cargo

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, June 28, 2026

Norwegian maritime archaeologists have discovered an 18th-century merchant shipwreck nearly 600 meters underwater in the Skagerrak Strait, containing a rare cargo of Chinese porcelain, glassware, and other artifacts. This well-preserved wreck provides new evidence on historical trade routes connecting China, northern Europe, and possibly the Baltic region, with detailed investigations planned to further understand these connections.

Norwegian maritime archaeologists have uncovered an 18th-century merchant shipwreck containing a significant cargo of Chinese porcelain in the Skagerrak Strait, approximately 600 meters beneath the sea. The discovery offers new insights into the historical trade networks that connected China, northern Europe, and possibly the Baltic region.

The vessel, referred to as the Porcelain Shipwreck by researchers, was found off southern Norway. It contains a diverse assemblage of artifacts, including large amounts of Chinese porcelain, glass goblets and bottles, chandelier fragments, grain, textiles, and other organic materials. Some of the recovered items are now on display at the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo.

The shipwreck is believed to be a fully laden 18th-century merchant ship, measuring about 22 meters in length with two remaining masts. Observations suggest the vessel may have been a galliot, a merchant ship design typical of northern Europe, notable for its round stern. A brick stamped with the mark of Luebecker Ratsziegelei, a brickworks in the German city of Lübeck active from the 15th century until 1772, was also recovered, providing clues about the ship's origin or trade connections.

The discovery was initiated by Espen Saastad, a watch designer from Porsgrunn, Norway, who operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and seabed survey company. Saastad recalled the initial exploration of the wreck with the Norwegian Maritime Museum team, noting the sight of “lots of white items” underwater, which turned out to be porcelain plates, cups, jars, and crystal pieces from chandeliers.

Frode Kvalo, a maritime archaeologist leading the shipwreck project at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, emphasized the significance of the find due to the wreck’s well-preserved state and the unusual composition of its cargo. “The combination of Chinese porcelain, northern European glassware, chandeliers, grain, textiles, and other organic materials is rare,” Kvalo said. The depth of the wreck also sets it apart, marking the first time Norwegian archaeologists have conducted research on a shipwreck at such considerable open-sea depths, and representing one of the deepest underwater archaeological efforts in northern Europe.

Current investigations are being conducted in phases, beginning with mapping what remains at the site and the distribution of artifacts. This preliminary work aims to guide a comprehensive excavation in the future. Researchers hope the cargo may illuminate historical patterns of consumer goods’ movement and maritime trade routes that linked distant regions during the 18th century.

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