Press Release
04 May 2026 – Basler Personenschifffahrt
BASLERDYBLI TO REMAIN – RENOVATION APPROVED
Basel, May 4, 2026 – Basler Personenschifffahrt has secured the Baslerdybli’s future and plans to renovate it in the fall of 2026 – with the goal of preserving the ship long
term until 2031 and continuing to use it for special charter trips.
Baslerdybli to Remain in the Fleet
The new Board of Directors of Basler Personenschifffahrt has decided that the Baslerdybli will remain in the fleet and undergo renovation. The goal is to preserve the ship’s identity and ensure its continued use through 2031.
The work is scheduled to take place immediately following the season in late fall 2026. Until the renovation work begins, the Baslerdybli will be in service this year for select charters.
An Emotional Anchor for Basel
“The Baslerdybli is much more than just a boat—it’s an emotional anchor for many Basel residents. With the planned renovation, we’re ensuring that this historic vessel will continue to have a place on the Rhine for special events in the future,” says Frédéric Petignat, Managing Director of Basler Personenschifffahrt.
Part of Basel’s Identity
The Baslerdybli has been an integral part of Basel’s Rhine landscape for many years and has won the hearts of countless visitors. Whether for weddings, anniversaries, or special moments with a small group of friends—the boat is the setting for countless personal memories and has become an indispensable part of the cityscape. It is precisely these experiences that we want to ensure remain possible in the future and continue to have their place “on the Rhine.”
Media materials:
- More info about the Baslerdybli: https://bpg.ch/schifffahrt/flotte/ms-baslerdybli
- Images: Link
For further information and interviews, please contact:
Frédéric Petignat, Managing Director, frederic.petignat@bpg.ch, +41 61 639 95 00
About Basler Personenschifffahrt (BPG)
Basler Personenschifffahrt (BPG) has been operating passenger boat services on the Rhine in Basel and the surrounding region since its founding in 1924. With sightseeing cruises, culinary and event cruises, and charter services, it is an integral part of the city’s tourism and cultural offerings. The BPG fleet comprises three vessels—the MS Rhystärn, the MS Christoph Merian, and the historic Baslerdybli—offering a range of options from large excursion ship to the nostalgic small event ship for special occasions.
BPG is part of the UNITED WATERWAYS Group. The international group, also headquartered in Basel, offers white-label services worldwide in the areas of ship management and shipping using its own infrastructure on rivers and at sea, and also operates its own excursion and event ships in Amsterdam, Basel, Dresden, Cologne, and London.