The new KD event ship: MS RheinEnergie

A new superlative on the Rhine!

For the 2004 season the Köln-Düsseldorfer German Rhine Line is building a new and innovative event ship which will overturn all previous conceptions of a normal ship. This unique catamaran, unmatched in Europe, will set new standards and provide exciting possibilities for the entire event sector. MS RheinEnergie marks another phase in KD's continued development as an innovative, market-driven company and will play an important role in uncovering new business potential and fulfilling ever-changing customer requirements.



KD's new flagship is named after the company's partner GEW RheinEnergie AG, which supplies the whole of the Rhine area with electricity and water. Helmut Haumann, managing director of GEW RheinEnergie AG, and KD's managing directors Norbert Schmitz and Klaus Hadeler unveiled details of KD's new flagship on 09.12.2003, during a joint press conference held in Cologne on board the historical paddle steamer GOETHE.



MS RheinEnergie is an important milestone within KD's successful stategic reorientation from being just a shipping company to becoming an organiser of "events on the river". KD has shown itself to be innovative and open for new ideas, not only in the field of product development but also with regard to marketing strategies. In order to achieve its planned aims KD is looking to set up partnerships with strong brand-name companies which suit KD and the Rhine area. Bundling the brand awareness with joint marketing and sales activities will create new synergetic effects and open up new markets.







A close look at the design and layout show clearly that MS RheinEnergie will place KD at the forefront of river cruise-ship development for the next generation. Its very dimensions, ninety metres in length and 19 metres wide with 3 decks and a generous sundeck, give a hint of the amount of space available in the catamaran's interior. Focal point is the central stage, approximately 35 m2 in size and with a height-clearance of 5.90 m., which has its own artistes' changing-room and entrance. Approximately 1,000 spectators, seated on two levels on the main deck and a gallery on the upper deck, will have a full view of this stage. MS RheinEnergie has a generous seating capacity and is ideally suited as a venue for any kind of event with between 400 and 1,400 guests.



Three elegant bars on the main and upper decks and another on the sundeck add to the atmosphere. It goes without saying that the ship features a sophisticated sound and lighting system as well as having equipment installed to support modern methods of presentation (monitors, video screens etc. )





KD is thus entering a whole new dimension in the event and promotion business. A unique location, this new and fully air-conditioned event ship combines the very best possibilities for staging shows with the special experience of a river cruise. Carnival parties, concerts, annual general meetings, company celebrations, or product presentations: this ship will add a brand new quality to countless types of event. And it will even be possible to present vehicles on the sundeck or on the stage inside the ship.







And what is more, the ship will of course also be used on regular scheduled cruises between Cologne and Mainz. A glance at the construction plans is enough to see that KD has succeeding in finding a perfect balance between the requirements of an event ship and those of an excursion steamer, while at the same time setting new standards of excellence in passenger shipping on the Rhine. The first thing to catch the eye is the generous design of the sundeck. Its total surface area of 1,200 m2 and the large awning mean that there will be plenty of space for everyone in sunny weather. And the children's playground with its slide, paddling pool, rocking horses, climbing frames and free carousel rides is guaranteed to make the smallest passengers' eyes light up and provide a recreational paradise for children and parents alike!

Extensive seating capacity at generously proportioned windows will give a great number of passengers the chance to sit "on the balcony" and watch the scenery on the Rhine pass by. The panorama lounge at the front of MS RheinEnergie will obviously become a favourite place to sit. Of course the ship is designed to give best possible access for the handicapped, with a lift to all decks. Cyclists will be delighted to find that cycle racks provide plenty of storage space.

The lower deck is taken up mainly by the ship's kitchen, which will of course be fitted with the latest technology. The choice ranges from à la carte meals to full gala buffets. There are 22 twin-bedded cabins planned on the lower deck for the nautical and catering staff. There will be a total of 30 members of staff on board.

This unique event ship will enable the Köln-Düsseldorfer German Rhine Line to reconfirm its status as market leader in the field of day-cruise shipping on the Rhine. After 178 years the company is still setting the standards on the Rhine with its high-performance fleet, which ranges from the nostalgic, 90-year old paddle steamer GOETHE to this brand-new event ship.

MS RheinEnergie is due to enter service in June 2004. The keel was laid down in November at the De Hoop Shipyard in Lobith. The catamaran will operate 12 months a year, being used in winter mainly for the numerous Carnival events in the Cologne area. This will of course give the city of Cologne a new year-round tourism highlight.

References


 

> Plans MS RheinEnergie (pdf, 5 MB)

> Plans MS RheinEnergie (gif, 210 KB)

> Folder MS RheinEnergie (pdf, 8 MB)