The Belsky River Shipping Company carries out the transportation of goods and passengers along the main river of Bashkortostan - the White and the rivers of the Volga-Kama basin. It serves the Volga region, delivering bulk goods such as timber, coal, building materials, grain, vegetables and fruits.
From the history
The Belsky River Shipping Company, belonging to the Ministry of the River Fleet of the Russian Federation, was created in 1937. But shipping on the Belaya River began in 1858, when the first transportation was organized.
Prior to this, the government commission was exploring the possibility of shipping on Belaya, and made a map. But there were still many unexplored sections of the river, the project was in jeopardy. Through persuasion, refreshments and other courting members of the commission, they signed a document on the suitability of Belaya for river transport.
The work of the waterway on Belaya began with two steamboats - "Fast" and "Terrible". The main cargoes were iron, steel and copper, shipped from the metallurgical plants of the Urals. The rafting of the forest rafted, transported grain, livestock, leather, salt from the Iletsk deposit, etc.
A year later, passengers began to transport between Ufa and Kazan. The organizer was the Druzhina Society. But regular passenger traffic became possible only after the establishment of the Belsk Shipping Company in 1870.
Shipping has intensified the economic life of the region. Strengthened ties between Central Russia, the Volga region and the Urals. The exchange of goods between these parts of the country has accelerated, as volumes and speed of transportation have increased. But for a long time, many types of cargo continued to be sent downstream "on their own," on rafts.
Shipping company during the Great Patriotic War
During the war, the Belorussian river boats drove ships along the Volga, Oka, and Moscow. They delivered not only weapons, equipment, ammunition, but also equipment from evacuated factories. A large number of wounded and evacuated were driven to the rear, and combat replenishment was carried to the front line. The shipping shipyard carried out military orders.
Many river men fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The shipping company honors the memory of those who have not returned from the war, and surround the attention of veterans.
Shipping today
Currently, the Belsky River Shipping Company is engaged not only in the delivery of a wide variety of goods and the transport of passengers, but also in the extraction of building materials: sand, pebbles in the bed of the Belaya River. The organization carries out loading and unloading, ship repair. For this, it is equipped with all necessary equipment. She is also engaged in training personnel for the river fleet, not only for their own needs, but also for the neighboring regions.
Now the shipping company includes two river ports - Ufa and Birsk, a ship-repair and shipbuilding plant, Svyaz Communications LLC , freight transport and passenger ships.
Motor ship cruises
One of the main directions of its work, the Bielskoye River Shipping Company considers tourist services. The first tourist voyages began in the middle of the last century, then steamships of 737 projects were sent along routes. Since 1963, they began to be replaced by more modern and convenient river vessels.
Now the ships of the Belsky River Shipping Company are distinguished by comfort and a beautiful appearance. These are two-decker passenger ships: Bashkortostan, Salavat Yulaev, Musa Gareev, Gabdulla Tukai and others.
The cabins on the ships are located in three tiers. For a fun trip, there is a music salon, restaurants, a bar on board. There is also a solarium, sauna, billiard room. Walking terraces are highlighted on the decks, where you can enjoy the views and take a leisurely exercise.
Among the offers of the Bielskoye River Shipping Company are cruises lasting from 3 to 17 days. They are committed along the rivers of the Volga-Kama basin. Cruise routes include travel to Moscow, Astrakhan, Kostroma, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Volgograd and other cities.
Services for tourists and vacationers
The weekend route is popular among Ufa residents and tourists. It means not only riding on a boat, an excursion around the Ufa Peninsula, but also relaxing with a swim in the green parking lot.
The shipping company also offers boat trips on pleasure boats. If desired, you can go for 1, 2 or 7 hours.
You can rent a boat for various events. This service is especially popular with those entering into marriage and celebrating an anniversary. And the graduation party on the boat has become a very common way to make it unforgettable. You can use the rental for business meetings and other events. To do this, the ships have a large conference room. And for fruitful work - the silence and peace of the Belgian open spaces, away from city noise and fuss.
The shipping company also owns the Anchor Cafe, located on Lenin Street, in the very center of Ufa. Guests are treated to dishes of Bashkir, Russian and European cuisine. A cozy room can also be rented for various events: weddings, anniversaries, corporate parties , etc. And in the summer, the cafe organizes picnics in "green parking lots."
Such is the current day of the Bielskoye River Shipping Company. Tours to various cities of Russia are complemented by special flights, such as "Journey to the Bulgar", "Golden Khokhloma". New travel routes are being mastered, and the range of services provided is increasing.