The river navigation season has started in Tatarstan.

      River navigation started today in the Republic of Tatarstan. This year, the season opened two days earlier than in 2025. As noted by the General Director of JSC "Flot RT" Roman Lizalin, spring is always a festive and anticipated time for all workers in the river transport sector. "I would invite everyone to use our vessels. Visit us more often, we will be glad to see you. I want to wish everyone fair winds, seven feet under the keel, safe sailing, and a good journey," he stated at the opening ceremony. The event took place at the Kazan river port. The official part began with the anthems of Russia and Tatarstan, after which students from the Kazan branch of the Volga State University of Water Transport marched in front of the gathered guests to the sounds of a military march. According to Lizalin, in recent years, the situation with personnel in the Tatarstan fleet has improved. "I am often asked how we are doing with personnel. Yes, it was a bit more difficult before, but now the situation is much better. We have introduced the concept of mentoring, assigning young guys to experienced captains, who pass on their experience and knowledge, allowing us to ensure continuity of generations," he said. For her part, the assistant to the President of Tatarstan, Olesya Baltusova, congratulated everyone present on the new year of river navigation in Tatarstan and thanked Flot RT for its significant contribution to the development of navigation in the republic. "The tourist flow in the republic is steadily growing, and more and more travelers are choosing the Volga, Kazanka, and other waterways to get acquainted with our UNESCO monuments, such as Bolgar and Sviyazhsk, as well as Yelabuga. People are actively interested in how to travel quickly and comfortably by water. And we, the Volga dacha owners, are also keeping up! We are waiting for changes for the better, and they are finally happening before our eyes," said Baltusova.