200 years of KD - We are celebrating our anniversary

Press

- 02.04.2026

200 stories, faces and secrets

200 Years of Shipping History on the Rhine

It all began on June 11, 1826, with the founding of the Prussian-Rhenish Steamship Company in Cologne. In 1827, regular service between Cologne and Mainz began with the side-wheel steamer “Concordia.” This was followed by steel and iron steamships, as well as the first diesel-powered motorboats, hydrofoils, and speedboats.

In the 2000s, the MS RheinMagie —then known as the MS RheinEnergie —became Europe’s largest event catamaran. Today, KD is KD in passenger shipping and one of the leading providers of events and MICE services on the water.
With its modern event fleet, the company sets the standard for extraordinary events and high-quality business functions on the Rhine, Main, and Moselle.

Anniversary Promotions 2026

KD kicked off its anniversary season back in late March KD a special employee event to thank its team for their dedication and celebrate its 200th anniversary together.

The season-opening cruise on the Middle Rhine aboard the paddle steamer Goethe on April 25 will feature culinary and musical highlights. In addition, KD is making KD strong statement: In this anniversary year, 200 school classes from North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse will have the opportunity to take a free panoramic or scheduled cruise of their choice.

Another highlight is scheduled for June 11, the anniversary of KD. On that day, an official ceremony will be held on the Rhine, attended by representatives from the political and business communities.

“It is very important to us that everyone gets to share in this special anniversary. For 200 years, we have had close ties with the people and cities along the Rhine—now we want to give something back to show our appreciation,” says KD Nina Luig.

Big Anniversary Weekend in August

A special highlight of the anniversary year is the first weekend in August. On August 1, the “Kölner Lichter” light show takes center stage. KD participate in the boat parade with a total of seven vessels. The centerpiece is the anniversary ship, the MS RheinGalaxie. On board, guests can expect a festive atmosphere featuring various buffets, live cooking stations, and a selection of beverages. Live music by FOXEE and a DJ will provide lively entertainment. At the same time, the double anniversary —“200 Years KD 150 Years of Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”— will be celebrated on board with little surprises.

On August 2, KD is hosting an “Open Deck Day” on the MS RheinMagie. Visitors can look forward to “Behind the Scenes” tours, a colorful children’s and entertainment program, as well as sightseeing cruises featuring special culinary offerings and discounts. At the same time, the MS RheinGalaxie will set sail from Cologne to Düsseldorf for an anniversary brunch cruise—also featuring a buffet, culinary specials, and surprises for children. Additional events are planned in Düsseldorf and along the Middle Rhine.

Special Exhibition: 200 Years of KD the SchifffahrtMuseum Düsseldorf

On June 9, a special exhibition marking KD will open at the SchifffahrtMuseum Düsseldorf on Burgplatz. It will run through October and is based on the theme “200 Stories, Faces, and Secrets.” Visitors will gain fascinating insights into the KD 200-year history through historical exhibits and multimedia content.
A discounted combo ticket combines a museum visit with a 1-hour
KD .

Merchandise and Special Editions

Under the hashtag #kdmoments, KD tells KD story in a variety of ways. Fans can look forward to high-quality merchandise, including polo shirts, keychains, caps, cotton bags, notebooks, pens, and insulated bottles.

The collection is complemented by four special anniversary highlights:

Anniversary wine by winemaker Juliane Eller, featuring a custom-designed label
Gin de Cologne Anniversary Edition
Anniversary Curry Sauce from the long-established Cologne-based company Remagen
Anniversary edition of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Storybox, featuring print and digital content, including a professional audio drama set in part on the paddlewheel steamer GOETHE

The anniversary merchandise is KD exclusively from KD : at the ticket office in Cologne, on board the ships, at select retail locations along the Rhine, and in KD at www.k-d.com.