Concordia Damen begins outfitting Century Cruises’ first European vessel

Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen has begun outfitting of a new river cruise vessel for Century Cruises, marking the Chinese operator’s entry into the European market.

The hull of the vessel, which will be named Century Star, arrived at Concordia Damen’s yard in Werkendam, the Netherlands, where work is now underway.

“Concordia Damen’s reputation for excellence aligns seamlessly with our values of quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship,” said Alex Ye, CEO of Century Cruises.

Founded in 1992, Century Cruises operates a fleet of luxury river vessels on China’s Yangtze River. The company’s move into Europe is supported by Basel-based river cruise service provider United Waterways, which provides white-label operational and hospitality services for river cruise brands across the region.

Century Star will be delivered in June 2026.