During the 1930s, the company had grown so much that Götaverken became the world's biggest shipyard by launched gross registered tonnage.

And in 1977, the state-owned shipbuilding company, Svenska Varv AB, took over Salénrederierna because of the Swedish shipyard crisis.

During this last period of the company's history, they searched for alternatives to the traditional production of tankers and ore transporters.

However, Götaverken Cityvarvet survived the crisis and would for the next few decades perform repairs, maintenance, and renovation of ships.

During 2006, the building underwent an extensive renovation for approximately one hundred million Swedish kronor.