About us

Our history

UNITED WATERWAYS is Europe’s largest provider of modular white-label ship management services on all waters. Our brand portfolio includes the floating venues of KD, Oceandiva, Weiße Flotte Sachsen, Thames Luxury Charters the ship owning entity STARLING FLEET and the service brands on the European waterways of the River Advice Group. Ocean Advice is the counterpart for passenger ship management on the world’s oceans.

Our roots go back to 2004, when we launched under the River Advice label. In 2019, the group was consolidated under the umbrella of UNITED WATERWAYS (formerly UNITED RIVERS). Our head quarters are located in Basel, Switzerland.

A YOUNG COMPANY WITH HISTORY
KD

KD’s history goes back to 1826. 1853 two companies formed the “Kölnische und Düsseldorfer Gesellschaft für Rhein-Dampfschiffahrt”. 2016 Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt AG (KD) was sold to the Group. Until 2017, KD was one of the oldest continuously listed stock corporations in the world.

Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt

The Elbdampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft was founded by merchants in 1836. Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH also known as Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt, based in Dresden, operates the world’s oldest and largest fleet of historic paddle steamers and was acquired by the Group in 2020.

Feenstra Rijn Lijn

Feenstra Rijn Lijn, founded in 1988, based in Arnhem, the Netherlands, has a long history in specializing in multi-day river cruises on European inland waters, mainly for Dutch passengers. They joined the Group in 2023.

Thames Luxury Charters

Thames Luxury Charters was established in 1993 and has hosted some of the most diverse and exciting events on the River Thames. The fleet is based at Butler’s Wharf Pier next to London’s famous Tower Bridge. The company joined the Group in 2022.

Oceandiva

Oceandiva, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Amsterdam, operates event ships in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, focusing on sustainable and unforgettable MICE experiences on floating venues. They became part of the Group in 2022.

River Advice

In 2004, Robert Straubhaar founded River Advice in Basel to provide white-label ship management services for river passenger vessels. It has since grown to become the largest independent provider of river cruise services and served as foundation of the Group of companies.

STARLING FLEET

The acquisition of the river cruise ships of the German company Premicon and the addition of the fleet of the Dutch Select Voyages the started 2017 the consolidaton of river cruise ships under the umbrella of STARLING FLEET which became part of UNITED WATERWAYS in 2019.

UNITED WATERWAYS

The history of United Waterways is closely linked to the history of its brands. As the holding company and umbrella for the various companies in its portfolio, United Rivers was founded in 2019 and renamed UNITED WATERWAYS in 2024 with the purpose of providing services on all waters.

RIVER ACADEMY

In 2019, the River Academy was founded in Cologne to offer educational programs in the field of inland navigation. In 2023, the River Academy took over the Barth Academy in Duisburg. The River Academy has been part of the Group’s white-label division since its foundation.

Ocean Advice

The Group founded Ocean Advice in Limassol, Cyprus, in 2022 with an experienced team of ocean experts to offer white-label ship management services on the world’s oceans.

Dr. Sascha Gill

CEO

Jelle van der Steeg

CFO

Stefan Bloch

COO

Oliver Sassen

Head of Ocean Division

Robert Straubhaar

President

Our team

Our team consists of committed professionals and personalities who are passionate and enthusiastic about making your brand successful in the cruise market. The individual strengths and skills of each team member play an important role. Together we realize our full potential: for an all-round well advised and satisfied clientele.

Our modular products and agile services – in response to customer challenges and market changes – have made us the market leader. As a team we will further build on this position and develop new sailing destinations beyond Europe for our clients, so they have security in service, infrastructure and operation for their brands.

TRANSPARENT  |  MODULAR
COMPETENT  |  FAIR

Our vision

We will transform the maritime world. To do this, we are democratizing ship management and service on a global scale and making it accessible to everyone. We are committed to ensuring that companies in river, ocean and cargo shipping can navigate safely, reliably and successfully. We provide the necessary tools and resources. With our support, a brand can be on all waters and provide an outstanding experience for guests and customers.

Our
White Label
Services

UNITED WATERWAYS is the operator behind your brand. We are the one-stop shop on all waters, providing infrastructure, ship management and hospitality services under one roof. Our strength is in delivering the brand promise to your guests by remaining the white-label operator of choice on the rivers and oceans of this world.

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Our
Dayship &
Event brands

The buzz of London, the history of Dresden or the maritime flair of Rotterdam, you name it, our floating venues are there. With various event ships ranging from 50 to 2000 guests, we can serve ultra-deluxe and highly scripted events to more intimate gatherings. We are present throughout the hotspots of Europe for meetings, conferences, incentive programs and other events to showcase your brand & product or simply inspire your family gathering.

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