Concordia Damen has announced it has delivered the Century Star to Century Cruises, the first of three ships the Dutch shipyard will deliver to the company.

The second ship is expected at Concordia Damen in August 2026.

Chris Kornet, managing director of Concordia Damen, said: “The delivery of the Century Star shows that, as a family business, we are able to enter a completely new segment with international partners.”

The shipyard said in a press release that the ship was built in collaboration with United Waterways, which supports China-based Century Cruises in adapting to European operational standards, including regulations, safety management, crew and hospitality.

“We are grateful to Century Cruises and United Waterways for their trust in this first project of a series of three. It proves that Dutch shipbuilding expertise and sustainable innovation also make a difference in the international river cruise market,” added Kornet.

“The delivery of the Century Star is an important milestone, not just for Century Cruises but for the European river cruise sector as a whole,” said Thomas Rooch, managing director of Century ONE in Basel.

“The ship embodies the combination of the drive for innovation and expertise of all parties and a shared ambition to provide unique travel experiences. We look forward to welcoming the first guests on board,” added Rooch.

Concordia said that the delivery marks Century Cruises’ entry into Europe, and that the ship is the first river cruise vessel the China-based cruise line has had built specifically for the European market.

The Century Star will sail on the Danube from September 2026, with itineraries on the Rhine to be announced at a later date.

The Century Star is based on Concordia Damen’s CDS River Cruise 135 design and accommodates 174 guests in 78 cabins. Several vessels of this design have already been built.

Concordia highlighted that sustainability played a central role in the design: the ship features hybrid propulsion and has a hull made of recycled steel.

The interior features elements inspired by European river destinations, with references to the brand’s Asian heritage, aiming to blend Eastern hospitality with the quality standards European travelers expect.