DDSG Blue Danube

On 13 March 1829, the “Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft” was founded in Vienna, marking the beginning of a success story on the Danube that continues to this day.

In 1830, the DDSG launched its shipping service between Vienna and Budapest with the paddle steamer “Franz I”, laying the foundation for Danube navigation as we know it today.

Following numerous acquisitions, DDSG becomes the world’s largest inland shipping company, with more than 200 steamships and around 1,000 cargo barges.

DDSG is privatised and divided into two divisions: freight shipping (DDSG-Cargo) and passenger shipping (DDSG-Donaureisen).

The Verkehrsbüro and the Port of Vienna establish DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt GmbH, which remains Austria’s largest passenger shipping company to this day.

With four ships, including MS Vindobona, MS Admiral Tegetthoff and MS Wachau, the newly founded DDSG Blue Danube begins its first season in 1996 as a joint venture between Wien Holding and the Verkehrsbüro.

The excursion ship “Schlögen” (today “MS Blue Danube”) joins the fleet, expanding the DDSG fleet to six excursion ships.

An additional ship joins the fleet as “MS Wien”, while an existing ship undergoes a complete refurbishment and subsequently operates under the name “Blue Danube”.

To mark its 20th anniversary, the former “MS Prinz Eugen” undergoes a complete refurbishment and makes its maiden voyage as “MS Dürnstein”, featuring a new Wachau-inspired design.

With more than 310,000 passengers carried, Austria’s largest inland shipping company records a record-breaking year.

With the acquisition of “MS Austria” and the former “MS Austria Princess” (now “MS Vienna”) from Brandner Schifffahrt, the fleet grows to nine ships, significantly increasing capacity in Vienna and the Wachau.

DDSG Blue Danube celebrates 30 years in its current corporate form, with a growing range of scheduled, themed and charter cruises in Vienna, the Wachau and internationally to Budapest and Bratislava.