Gotheborg was one of the leading merchant ships of the Swedish East India Company during the 18th century 260 years ago. The replica of the boat arrived in China on July 18, 2006. The boat, 58.8 meters long and 11 meters wide, cost US$30 million and represented a 10-year effort from over 4,000 ship builders. The construction of the Zheng He replica treasure boat kicks off later in September and should be completed in 2008. Zheng He is believed to be the first man to have established a direct sea route linking the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. His fleet was made up of over 300 vessels and manned by about 27,000 sailors, a number unrivalled in the world at that time.