Selandia – the ship that changed the world

In 1912, a ship quietly changed the world. M/S Selandia became the first ocean-going diesel-powered ship. A technological breakthrough that would reshape global shipping.

Behind the innovation stood Rudolf Diesel and Danish engineer Ivar Knudsen,and the founder of the East Asiatic Company (EAC) H.N. Andersen. The ship was praised worldwide, but behind the success lies a dark and more sinister story.

Shortly after the breakthrough, Rudolf Diesel vanished under mysterious circumstances. His death was never fully explained, leaving behind many unanswered questions. Ivar Knudsen also lost his lift under mysterious circumstances.

The drama-documentary M/S Selandia investigates the birth of a technological revolution and the mystery that followed in its wake.


Produced by: Chroma film, Anders Dylov
Director: Michael Schmidt-Olsen
Cinematographer: Daniel Schultz Madsen & Morten Larvad
Broadcaster: Danish Radio Corporation (DR)