In 1827 the Preussisch-Rheinischen Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft (PRDG), then started to operate a steamboat service between Cologne and Mainz.

Further up the Rhine Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft von Rhein und Main (DGRM) operated between Mainz and Strasbourg.

In 1838 the Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft für den Nieder- und Mittelrhein (DGNM), the "Düsseldorf" company was founded.

At about the same time, the growth of freight and passenger traffic was limited by the expansion of the railways which were constructed along the banks of the Rhine.

The river became heavily travelled during the Industrial Revolution, by 1856 the millionth ticket was proudly sold.

In April 1928 the Dutch Nederlandsche Stoomboot Reederij (NSR), which had succeeded to NSM's shipping activities on the Rhine, was entered into the partnership.