Page 14 - 2026 European River Report

UNITED

WATERWAYS

RUNNING EUROPE

Sascha Gill,
CEO

“We provide white-label services. You provide the customer base, we
provide ships and the infrastructure and operate in the background, and
you look like you own and operate the ship,” said Sascha Gill, CEO of United
Waterways, which provides management services to over 100 river vessels.

or those wanting a vessel to get into the river NEWBUILD DESIGNS
market, Gill said a classic ship can be chartered With space constrained due to river geography,
Fquickly, and if an operator wants to charter for newbuilds are carefully designed, Gill said.
more than a year, livery changes and interior refur- “The dimensions are the same, so we can think about
bishments were not a problem. having a two-and-a-half deck or three-deck ship and
“We can also provide a newbuild in about two setting the space up differently. Some operators have
years, getting the shipyard slot and designing the ship, a lounge or restaurant in the front, while some want
if you charter it for 10 years plus,” he said. it in the aft; and others want a pool and spa aboard.”

20 Cruise Industry News: 2026 European River Market Report