Heilbronn, set on the banks of the Neckar, looks back on a rich history of shipping that is closely tied to the development of the city itself. From a medieval trading post to a modern inland port, shipping on the Neckar has shaped Heilbronn decisively. And a new chapter has begun: since April 2025 the Weisse Flotte once again offers sightseeing cruises aboard MS Käthchen.
The beginnings: the Neckar privilege
The story starts in 1333 with the Neckar privilege, which allowed the city to divert the main arm of the river along the city wall to power mills. The diversion silted up the original river arm near Böckingen, making Heilbronn the practical end point of river traffic. Emperor Maximilian I confirmed the privilege on 16 January 1500, establishing Heilbronn as an important trading town with exclusive staple rights for landed goods.
Economic boom and new infrastructure
During the industrialisation of the 19th century the port facilities along the Neckar were expanded. The Wilhelmskanal, opened on 17 July 1821, made the river navigable again and eased the transport of goods between Heilbronn and the Rhine. The timber port, in operation since 1875, handled logs from the Black Forest that were assembled into rafts and floated towards the Rhine.
The port of Heilbronn today
With the complete canalisation of the Neckar up to Heilbronn in 1935 the port grew into Germany's eighth-largest inland port and the most important one beyond the Rhine – with around 78 hectares, 7.2 kilometres of quays, a container terminal and a heavy-goods quay.
A new chapter: MS Käthchen returns
Since April 2025 the Weisse Flotte once again runs sightseeing cruises aboard MS Käthchen. The open-deck vessel shows locals and visitors Heilbronn and its riverbanks from the water – and can also be chartered for weddings, birthdays and corporate events.