In Oslo, Norway, the move took place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after the Oseberg and the Gokstad were relocated in the fall of 2025.
With all three ships now in position in the new display hall, the project can shift from transport and safety engineering to the final work on the new museum structure.
The Museum of the Viking Age
For many years, the Viking Ship Museum was a jewel of the Norwegian capital. Founded in 1926, it has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world come to view its historical Viking ships.
In recent years, however, the main building has struggled to cope with the increasing number of visitors. For this reason, the museum was closed in September 2021 for a major expansion.
The Museum of the Viking Age, the new, larger complex, will present the full Viking history of Norway.
One of the most daunting challenges has been to move the three historic ships – the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune – to the new building. To do so, the engineering team needed to create giant metal frames to protect them and an intricate crane system to pull them along.
The Oseberg was moved last September over a period of three days. The following month, it was the turn of the Gokstad.
In each case, despite some tense moments, the fragile vessel was relocated with no damage or major issues. This week, it was finally the turn of the Tune ship.
The ship, built around 910 CE, was uncovered in 1867 at Haugen farm on Rolvsøy, Norway, in the former Tune parish. Photo: China Crisis (CC BY-SA 2.5)
The Tune ship: The original find
The Tune was the first major ship burial to be found and excavated in Norway. The ship was discovered at Haugen farm on the island of Rolvsøy in Tune parish in 1867.
Standing approximately 18 meters in length, it was built around 910 CE and is believed to have operated as a smaller, fast longship. Made of oak, it has around 12 oar holes on each side – enough for a crew of 24 men plus a helmsman and lookout.
Of the three ships at the museum, the Tune is the only one that has not been reconstructed in some way.
As reported on the Museum of the Viking Age website, the last move proceeded according to plan. On Monday, February 23, 2026, the Tune ship was lifted up from its resting position and attached to the crane.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, safely secured in a steel rig, the Tune ship began moving towards its new location. The ship traveled through the museum at a very gradual speed of 24 centimeters per minute.
It took eight hours to reach the new museum space, where it was lowered down through an opening in the floor. On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, it was placed on four conveyors and pulled onto its base.
The ship traveled inside the museum on a controlled track system, then crews lowered it through an opening in the floor. Photo: Museum of the Viking Age
"An enormous effort"
The Tune will be displayed alongside the Gokstad. With all three main vessels now in position, attention will turn to putting the finishing touches on the new museum structure.
Although the project has seen some hiccups and funding concerns along the way, the museum is still expected to open to the public in 2027.
The arrival of the three ships in their new location marks an important landmark in the life of the project.
"Behind three successful ship moves lies an enormous, meticulously planned effort, with safety as the top priority, involving many different professional fields over many years," commented museum director Aud V. Tønnessen in a press release.
"We knew it was going to go well, but knowing that all three Viking ships are now safely in place is still a relief. There is a lot that needs to be done before the new Museum of the Viking Age can open, but we have now taken a big step along the way."
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