Birger Jarl was built in Sweden in 1953 for Redieri AB Svea. In 1973 she was sold to Jakob Lines, was renamed SS Bore Nord and converted into a ferry, sailing between Stockholm, Helsinki and Turku. In 1978 she was bought back by the Ånedin Line (named after the British TV series The Onedin Line) and was renamed SS Baltic Star. In 1982 the ship’s original steam engines were replaced by diesel engines and in 1989 her engines were again replaced by new diesels. In 2002 the ship reverted to the name Birger Jarl. During the latter part of her career  she has been used mainly for short cruises from Stockholm to the Aland Islands. Since 2013 Birger Jarl is operated as a hostel in the port of Stockholm and has recently been sailing on short lunch-cruises.