Find your next pre-owned passenger vessel.
Find your new, pre-owned passenger vessel here! Are you interested in building a new passenger vessel and see the Lux Shipyard as a competent partner? Then we will present your current passenger vessel on this portal free of charge as a service and support you with the sale.
Would you like to buy a pre-owned or new passenger vessel? Are you a pioneer in the passenger shipping industry and looking for a strong partner? The Lux Shipyard in Mondorf am Rhein looks back on 75 years of experience and is currently building its 225th vessel. We are happy to assist you with the purchase and sale of passenger vessels with ideas and experience.
Buy a pre-owned passenger vessel | No broker fees for buying or selling!
Buying a passenger vessel is a substantially larger investment than purchasing a private boat – and a more complex transaction. Unlike sports boats, technical certificates, class status and operating zone decide where and how profitably you can deploy the vessel. Below are the most common questions our customers have when purchasing a pre-owned passenger vessel.
The ship certificate (Union Certificate in EU inland waters) is your vessel's operating permit. It specifies passenger capacity, permitted operating zones and the validity period. Pay attention to the next due class renewal – on larger vessels this can quickly reach six figures. Vessels with a recently completed class are noticeably more attractive because you can plan the next operating years with confidence.
European inland vessels are classified by zone. Zone 4 covers sheltered inland waterways and canals, Zone 3 rivers like the Moselle or Danube, Zone 2 Sea allows coastal Baltic Sea operation. The Rhine has its own certification regime via the Central Commission for Rhine Navigation. Verify that the zone matches your intended operating area – retrofitting for a higher zone involves considerable structural changes.
From compact saloon vessels for 100 passengers to three-deck ships for 500: the choice of vessel type fundamentally determines economic performance. Compact vessels (up to 100 pax, <25 m) suit small rivers and narrow berths. Mid-sized vessels (100–250 pax) work well for regular service, charter trips and events. Large three-deck ships excel at large events and day-tourism on the Rhine, Danube and Neckar.
Price range is wide: small saloon vessels from approximately €400,000, larger two-deck ships typically between €500,000 and €800,000, and large three-deck vessels and special builds well above that. Value drivers are not just year of construction but class status, engine condition, recent modernisations (drive shaft, bow thruster, seating) and the most recent dry-dock inspections. On Navium you see the asking price (or "price on request"), year built and most recent investments directly in each listing.
Banks typically finance passenger vessels only against a solid business plan and equity of 30–40 %. Specialist marine insurers (e.g. Pantaenius, NV-Versicherungen) offer hull, machinery breakdown and liability cover in a combined policy. Clarify early which safety equipment (fire detection, life-saving equipment) the insurer requires – some items are prerequisites for going into service.
Sellers benefit from a thorough exposé: technical data, complete class history, all investments made in recent years, high-quality interior and exterior photos, and current certificates. List your vessel free of charge on Navium – we take care of the presentation to prospective buyers.
Traditional ship brokers charge 5–10 % commission on the sale price – for a €600,000 vessel that quickly amounts to €30,000–€60,000 that buyers, sellers, or both must bear. Navium grew out of the passenger shipping industry with the Lux Shipyard as long-standing partner. No broker fees apply – neither for buying nor for selling. We connect owners and prospective buyers directly and assist with our industry expertise – with no hidden costs.
More background in the Navium guide – on ship certificate and approval, prices, vessel types and the selling process: