Century Cruises expands in UE with United Waterways
Amid a growing global demand for personalized and sustainable travel experiences, a new collaboration is set to redefine the landscape of river cruising in Europe. Century Cruises, a leading cruise operator in Asia, has officially entered the European market through a strategic partnership with United Waterways, the world’s leading provider of modular, white-label ship management for passenger vessels.
Among the first developments of this partnership is the construction of a next-generation vessel — Century Star — entrusted to the engineering excellence of Concordia Damen, the renowned Dutch shipbuilder internationally recognized for its commitment to sustainable and innovative ship design.
Ship Century Victory on the Yangtze River (1)
Founded in 2004 under the River Advice brand and consolidated in 2019 under the umbrella of United Waterways, the company is now the largest European provider of integrated white-label ship management services, operating across all major inland waterways. The group manages a broad portfolio of brands — including KD, Oceandiva, Thames Luxury Charters, Weiße Flotte Sachsen, and others — offering modular, operational, and logistical solutions for passenger cruise vessels. Through Ocean Advice, United Waterways extends its expertise to ocean-going passenger ships as well.
On the other side of this partnership stands Century Cruises, a highly awarded luxury river cruise line with over 32 years of international experience. The company operates 12 eco-friendly vessels on some of the world’s most iconic rivers — including the Yangtze, Danube, Rhine, and Nile — and maintains a solid presence in key markets such as China, the EU, the United States, Japan, and Egypt. Century Cruises is known for delivering immersive, culturally authentic, and fully personalized journeys, complemented by integrated Destination Management Company (DMC) services, including shore excursions, logistics, and MICE solutions.
At the heart of the collaboration is the Century Star, designed to meet the highest international standards of comfort, sustainability, and functional elegance. Built by Concordia Damen, the vessel will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies in energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction — fully aligned with the environmental goals of Europe’s cruise industry.
Century Glory
According to Alex Ye, CEO of Century Cruises, Europe represents a strategic growth market for the company. The partnership with United Waterways provides Century Cruises with deep regulatory and infrastructure expertise, essential for confidently introducing their clientele to the cultural richness of Europe’s waterways. The involvement of Concordia Damen, a leader in sustainable shipbuilding, completes an ecosystem perfectly aligned with the company’s values of quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
For United Waterways, the partnership with Century Cruises is much more than a commercial opportunity — it is a tangible affirmation of the company’s central role in the sustainable development of the European cruise sector. Stefan Bloch, COO of United Waterways, explains that the shared goal is to elevate the river cruise experience by combining European craftsmanship with world-class international service. The collaboration marks a strategic milestone in the company’s global expansion and further solidifies its leadership in the next generation of luxury river cruising.
This partnership paves the way for new routes, higher standards, and fresh opportunities in a rapidly evolving industry where operational flexibility, environmental sustainability, and exceptional guest experiences are the key differentiators.
The synergy between Century Cruises, United Waterways, and Concordia Damen stands as a model of strategic collaboration — combining technical expertise, international vision, and a commitment to environmental responsibility. At a time when the market demands forward-thinking and conscious solutions, this alliance marks a pivotal moment for the future of luxury river cruising in Europe.
Don’t miss news, updates, and reviews from the world of cruising on Cruising Journal.