Lux Werft

In 1945, amidst the rubble and shadows of post-war Germany, a spark of ingenuity ignited on the banks of the Rhine. This spark was Johann Lux, a shipbuilder with a vision. Right here, at what would become the renowned Lux Werft, he began his ambitious endeavor. Lux Werft started with humble beginnings. The very first vessel crafted within its walls was a modest boat for the Bergheim fishing fraternity. Soon after, a sturdy steel ferry designed for the Sieg River followed. These early successes cemented Lux Werft’s growing reputation. Lux also started crafting smaller dinghies for river traffic, affectionately known as “Lux-Nachen.” Over 5,000 of these little workhorses have been produced at Lux Werft. Initially, Lux Werft operated from a shipyard hall on Hummerich 10. This location presented a unique challenge. The hall lacked direct access to the Rhine. Each finished vessel had to be carefully transported through the narrow Hummerichgasse on trailers or slipways. The largest vessel constructed at this site was the nearly 29-meter-long “Stadt Beuel.” As Lux Werft’s reputation flourished, so did its need for expansion. In 1963-64, a new hall was built directly on the Rhine at Moselstrasse. The first major vessel built in this new facility was the “Willi Ostermann.” Two decades later, Lux Werft expanded again with an even larger hall in 1984. Then, in 2010, Lux Werft acquired the neighboring Lulsdorf shipyard, further increasing its capacity. Most recently, in 2012, a state-of-the-art shipyard hall, an impressive 94 meters long, was added to the Lux Werft complex. Today, Lux Werft continues to thrive as a family-owned business, now operating as Lux-Werft und Schifffahrt GmbH. From its humble beginnings, Lux Werft has become a testament to German resilience and shipbuilding prowess.