United Waterways Expands Its Floating Venues To Basel, Opening New Horizons

United Waterways received confirmation of the acquisition of Basler Personenschifffahrt (BPG) from the Grand Council of the canton of Basel-Stadt. This acquisition is a major step in expanding United Waterways’ ‘Floating Venues’ division. With the purchase of BPG, the company operates three new vessels, marking a significant enhancement to its fleet and reinforcing its reach in the European market. Additionally, the company secured a new Basel site for its premier waterborne events.

The addition of BPG to United Waterways will create an abundance of new economic opportunities for the region’s tourism and events industries, particularly by augmenting and diversifying the existing attractions on the water. This expansion is particularly significant for United Waterways as its corporate headquarters is located in Basel, making this acquisition an essential element to solidifying its local presence and enhancing support for the city’s historic maritime culture.

United Waterways’ Ambitious Plans for Basel

The acquisition is viewed as most crucial for the development of tourism in Basel and the city’s age-old historic link with shipping. After establishing a presence in London, Amsterdam, Cologne, and Dresden, United Waterways is now moving into Basel. Along with strengthened shipping rights, the expansion will include the Rhystärn and Christoph Merian, which will be Basel’s first United Waterways’ ships and will include a floating event and excursion program.

United Waterways’ Executive Chairman, Robert Straubhaar, thanked the canton of Basel-Stadt for their trust in the company and expressed the importance of the future of BPG for steering the company in a direction towards independence and a positive future. He aims to improve services with the existing BPG, but also sees opportunities with other tourism partners to create new services in the area of tourism on the water with his newly acquired service. United Waterways envisions strong tourism services created with the ability to engage and connect the city of Basel to its maritime history.

Sustainable Growth and Innovation

United Waterways looks forward to the sustainable growth of its new acquisition and the development of other green initiatives. Shipping, as Basel’s identity, will see new and innovative formats with United Waterways’ stronger presence as of 2027. Dr. Sascha Gill, CEO of United Waterways, mentioned that these formats will enhance the BPG offerings and create opportunities to invest in sustainable ship propulsion systems.

Sustainable technology is a critical part of the strategy for United Waterways. Implementing green technologies will help reduce the river’s biodiversity loss and the overall fleet impacts, ensuring generations to come will enjoy the beauty and vitality of the rivers of Basel.

The BPG Fleet and its Legacy

For many years, the BPG Fleet has played a pivotal role in the tourism of the region, with the Rhystärn and the Christoph Merian vessels being some of the icons of the trade. The Rhystärn is one of the largest vessels in the BPG fleet, with a notable and rare capacity of 600 passengers. The Christoph Merian, with a capacity of 500 passengers, has also been a significant contributor to the company’s offerings.

United Waterways intends to keep the legacy of these vessels while making improvements to make them more flexible for different events, excursions, and private functions. They will continue to operate these ships for their original purpose but will also expand their role as event venues. This will help increase the prestige of Basel as a destination for luxury experiences.

More possibilities for Basel’s maritime heritage

With the acquisition of BPG, United Waterways has started the process of reinvigorating Basel’s maritime tourism. The new management has plans to keep the decorative yet functional “Basler Dybli” boat as a part of the sailing schedule for 2026. They plan to look for new and innovative ways to incorporate the “Basler Dybli” into tourism in Basel.

As a result of United Waterways, Basel will be enhanced as a destination for those looking for one-of-a-kind experiences on the water, especially with the new and improved tourism services and attractions. Also, it will allow locals to enjoy the beautiful and tranquil waterways in a more sustainable way.

Future Plans: Integration and Sustainable Development

After careful consideration, United Waterways has decided to focus on integrating Basler Personenschifffahrt into its wider business model. This process will involve close collaboration with the relevant tourism stakeholders and local authorities to promote and streamline the benefits to the region. Moreover, we will continue to address the sustainable development of our fleet and, more specifically, the implementation of eco-friendly types of propulsion systems.

The company has positioned itself to develop innovative new products and services that will help to cement Basel’s stature as a key venue for water-based activities and reinforce the city’s position as a center for high-end as well as sustainable travel. United Waterways, with its strong focus on environmental responsibility, aspires to be a forerunner in the new age of eco-friendly cruise and event venues.

Conclusion: The Beginning of Basel’s Floating Venues

Waterways’ acquisition of Basler Personenschifffahrt is a major milestone, both for the company and for the city of Basel. The acquisition offers the potential to further Basel’s rich maritime history by marrying luxury event spaces with environmentally sustainable features. As the company prepares to integrate in the coming months, optimism is in the air for the city’s waterways and tourism.

The expansion of BPG’s offerings and the preservation of its current legacy are clearly indicative of the praise that United Waterways deserves for keeping Basel as a premier stop for travelers in search of the ultimate floating event venues. The addition of new vessels, a stronger emphasis on sustainability, and a renewed imagination will create a bright new era for floating venues in Basel.

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