DDSG Blue Danube welcomes new ships

On Wednesday evening, the MS Austria was presented to the public for the first time in the colors of the largest and most traditional shipping company.

Vienna (OTS/LCG) – DDSG Blue Danube is on a growth path in every respect. Austria’s largest and most traditional inland shipping company celebrated a new record in 2023 with over 310,000 passengers transported. The next big bang followed right at the beginning of the year with the takeover of the MS Austria and MS Austria Princess from the Lower Austrian Brandner Schifffahrt. With the fleet growth, the Viennese shipping company owned by Wien Holding and VERKEHRSBUERO is significantly expanding its offering in Vienna and the Wachau – both in scheduled services and in the booming charter business. The range of popular theme trips with gastronomic and cultural highlights is also being expanded. In the next few days, the fleet will raise anchor to set off on special trips to celebrate the impressive apricot blossom in the Wachau.

On Wednesday evening, the MS Austria was presented to the public for the first time in the well-known red and white color scheme of the DDSG Blue Danube. The 59 meter long ship, which was launched in 1970, was built in the shipyard in Korneuburg, Lower Austria, and will continue to operate in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Wachau. The MS Austria Princess, built in 1998, is currently being prepared in the shipyard for use on the DDSG Blue Danube and will also set sail shortly and allow passengers to rediscover the Danube.

“The Danube is a very important tourist lifeline for Lower Austria and Vienna. The example of excursion boats shows that tourism in our two federal states will become even stronger if we complement each other: We can offer our guests much more if we convince them to go on excursions in both federal states. In this way, we extend the length of stay of guests and increase tourism added value. The takeover of the two ships by DDSG Blue Danube strengthens the tourist axis between Lower Austria and Vienna.”emphasizes the state governor Johanna Mikl Leitner.

“The DDSG Blue Danube fleet growth is an impulse for tourism in the federal capital and means even more attractive, affordable and appealing leisure activities for the Viennese and everyone in the region. The two new ships create jobs and added value!”emphasizes Vienna’s economic and tourism city council Peter Hanke.

“The takeover of the two ships by DDSG Blue Danube is another highlight in Wien Holding’s 50th anniversary year. For 50 years, our goal has been to improve the quality of life in Vienna, and this fleet expansion is an investment in a diverse range of leisure activities in the city. After the renovation and recent reopening of the KunstHausWien, this is the next strong accent that Wien Holding is setting.”says Vienna Holding managing director Kurt Gollowitzer.

“VERKEHRSBUERO stands for traveling and discovering, for experiencing and enjoying, always with the aim of creating special experiences for our guests and customers. As hosts, we always aim to set trends and quality standards. The fleet expansion of the DDSG Blue Danube contributes to this path and we are therefore particularly pleased to be able to tap into further potential.”comments VERKEHRSBUERO CEO Martin Winkler.

“The takeover of the MS Austria and MS Austria Princess is a historic milestone in the history of the DDSG Blue Danube. Our entire crew is proud of the new ‘family members’ and is enthusiastically starting the new season on board our nine ships.”says DDSG Blue Danube managing director happily Wolfgang Fischer.

“Thanks to the commitment of our entire crew, the MS Austria and MS Austria Princess are setting sail together at the start of the season. We were able to bring them up to the high nautical standards of our fleet in record time and are aiming for a new passenger record with around 400,000 guests this year.”says DDSG Blue Danube managing director Wolfgang Hanreich.

Prominent guests admire the MS Austria in the elegant red and white color scheme of the DDSG Blue Danube

A first look at the MS Austria, which had just arrived from the shipyard in Vienna, was served with Wachau delicacies and wine, among other things Manfred Ainedter (Jurist), Alexander Biach (Chamber of Commerce), Paul Blaguss (Blaguss Travel), Oliver W. Braun (Athenaeum Holding), Theresa Edtstadler (European Forum Wachau), Monika Erb (Basic Culture Vienna), Julia Flunger-Schulz (Krems Art Mile), Thomas Gindele (German Chamber of Commerce), Magdalena Hankus (Hankus 3sixty), Maria Happel (Reichenau Festival), Hans-Peter Hasenbichler (Via Danube), Karl Javurek (entrepreneur), Wolfgang Layr (People’s Bank), Georg Leitner (GLP Productions), Herbert Lippert (Opera singer), Jacqueline Pfeiffer (award-winning chef), Simon K. Posch (House of Music), Thomas Prantner (C3), Mario Pulka (Chamber of Commerce), Michael Rapberger (Danube region Vienna), Matthias Rotermund (Live Nation), Ossi Schellmann (Summerstage), Bernhard Schröder (Danube Lower Austria Tourism), Gerald Steger (grow+co), Herwig Ursin (Hey-U Mediagroup), Birgit Wallner (transport office), Edgar Weinzettl (ORF Vienna) or Ernst Woller (President of the Vienna State Parliament).

Further information on the fleet expansion of the DDSG Blue Danube can be found here leisure.at

Further information on ddsg-blue-danube.at

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