“Your Entry Into The River Cruise Market”
UNITED WATERWAYS is presenting itself at the World Travel Market in London with a clear message: the future of river cruising is sustainable, modular and can be tailored to specific brands. The focus is on the River Cruise Configurator – an innovative tool that fundamentally simplifies new ship construction while opening up new possibilities for layout, service formats and sustainable propulsion systems. In addition, UNITED WATERWAYS is setting new trends in the MICE sector with unique floating venues on European rivers and is planning further expansion in this booming sector.
With the River Cruise Configurator, UNITED WATERWAYS is making a quantum leap in the planning of river cruise ships. Under the motto “Your Entry Into The River Cruise Market”, the tool combines an extensive catalogue with an integrated ordering and service concept. This makes the previously complex newbuilding process transparent, modular and scalable. Operators are free to choose ship dimensions such as length and number of decks, design cabin layouts individually and flexibly adapt on-board offerings – from restaurants to wellness and fitness areas to entertainment – to their needs and brand positioning. The first ships of this new generation are scheduled to be launched in 2027 and will be built primarily in the Netherlands. The concept was honored a few days ago at the Tourism Innovation Summit in Seville.
New forms of propulsion: sustainability as a core principle
A key feature of the configurator is its consistent focus on sustainability. It includes state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly propulsion technologies such as batteries, methanol, and dual fuel . UNITED WATERWAYS continuously supports research and development projects in this rapidly growing industry. The company is thus taking a leading role in the decarbonization of the river cruise industry.
Dr Sascha Gill, CEO of UNITED WATERWAYS, emphasises: “We work very closely with our partners to ensure that the ‘Green Deal for the Rivers’ is progressing ahead of the 2030 and 2050 goals. With our newest vessels and our retrofitting program, our partners will be able to achieve Net Zero long before 2040. United, we will be able to swiftly decarbonize beyond 25 % of the European River Fleet through innovation and in cooperation with national and EU–level funding programs. Today, we operate more than 60 owned vessels and beyond 100 partner vessels by 2030. This provides us with leverage to help the market achieve both economies of scale in decarbonization and build and establish the infrastructure to support this task.”
Presence at the World Travel Market: Focus on innovation
At the WTM in London, UNITED WATERWAYS will present its innovations to an international audience of industry professionals. Visitors will gain insights into new river concepts and the rapidly growing business segment of Floating Venues. This includes the blueprint for the first 100 % electrically powered event ship certified with the Green Award Platinum label, the Oceandiva Nova, which has been operating in the Netherlands for over a year.
MICE on the water: Event innovations
With its Floating Venues, UNITED WATERWAYS is developing completely new event locations on the water – unusual places that redefine meetings, congresses, incentives and cultural events. Traditional locations include Cologne with the KD and Dresden with the world’s oldest and largest fleet of paddle steamers – the WEIßE FLOTTE SACHSEN – both classics in the field of MICE and adventure trips.
In addition, another platform is in preparation with the Oceandiva Mediterranean, which will be used in cities such as Barcelona, Cannes, Ibiza and Athens in the future. The hybrid ship with three decks can accommodate up to 600 guests and combines cutting-edge marine technology with a quiet, battery-powered drive. The multifunctional indoor and outdoor areas, as well as comprehensive branding and production options, make it a versatile venue with an experiential character. «We are seeing a sharp increase in demand for unconventional event formats on the water that impress guests with their high-quality experience. Further sustainable platforms are already in the planning stage and will complement our existing offering in a targeted manner», says Sascha Gill.
Global market leader in white label ship management from Switzerland
UNITED WATERWAYS is Europe’s largest provider of modular white label ship management services on all waters. Its brand portfolio includes KD Floating Venues, Oceandiva, WEIßE FLOTTE SACHSEN, Thames Luxury Charters, the STARLING FLEET shipping company, Feenstra Riviercruises and the River Advice Group’s service brands on European waterways. Ocean Advice is the counterpart for the management of passenger ships on the world’s oceans. Its roots date back to 2004, when the company started under the River Advice label. In 2019, the group was consolidated under the umbrella of UNITED WATERWAYS. The headquarter is in Basel, Switzerland.
Where to find us at WTM London 2025: Stand S4-520
Media Documentation: www.unitedwaterways.com/media-documentation