Cologne (Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia)

Cologne (Koln) is a Rhine River cruise port and city in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia state. By population (around 1,09 million) the city is ranked Europe's 31st-largest and Germany's 4th-largest (after Berlin, Hamburg, Munchen). By metro population (around 10,5 million) Koln is also in Europe's top-10 largest metropolises.

The city spreads on both sides of Rhine, and is ~80 km (50 mi) from the Germany-Belgium border. Among its most prominent landmarks are Kolner Dom (13th-century cathedral), the University of Cologne (14th-century/one of Europe's oldest and largest, with more than 48,000 students), over 30 museums.

On shore excursions/roundtrip bus tours from Cologne can be visited Schloss Ehreshoven (14th-century moated castle, originally owned by the Abtei Michaelsberg/11th-century founded Benedectine abbey in Siegburg).

Koln was established by the Romans in the 1st century AD. The city was the capital of the Germania province in the Roman Empire, until its occupation by the Franks in 462. During Middle Ages, it was among the continent's largest and most important cities. During WW2 (1939-1945), Koln was one of the most severely bombed cities in Germany. The allies' bombing raids reduced the population by 95% and destroyed almost the entire infrastructure.

In early-November 2018, PitPoint LNG BV (Holland-based company founded in 2016, subsidiary of Primagaz Nederland BV) was granted a permit to build shore-to-ship LNG bunkering station for supplying LNG-powered inland vessels with liquefied natural gas. Construction works started in 2018, with scheduled completion in 2019-Q2.