Sespel, general partner of the Reka forum, presents transport innovations to a delegation led by Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin

The Reka forum took place in Cheboksary from 30 June to 1 July 2026 with support from the Russian Ministry of Transport. Sespel was the event’s general partner and displayed prototypes in its mobile exhibition unit on Red Square. Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin and Chuvash Republic Head Oleg Nikolayev were shown aluminium bridge solutions, an operating Maglev train model and the new Cheboksarets electric bus with an aluminium body.

From 30 June to 1 July 2026, the Konstantin Ivanov Chuvash Academic Theatre in Cheboksary hosted the national Reka forum, a major event focused on inland water transport, shipbuilding, port infrastructure and logistics. Supported by the Russian Ministry of Transport, the forum brought together leading experts, government representatives and businesses.

Sespel served as the general partner, confirming its position as a key participant in transport engineering. As part of the event, Sespel set up its mobile exhibition unit on Red Square outside the theatre, displaying prototype products.

The plant’s advanced developments attracted particular interest. Three key innovations were presented to a delegation led by Russian Transport Minister Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin and Chuvash Republic Head Oleg Alekseyevich Nikolayev:

• Aluminium bridge solutions: orthotropic decks and aluminium-alloy bridge structures offering low weight, durability and corrosion resistance. These technologies are already used in Russian road bridges.
• An operating Maglev train model demonstrating the potential of next-generation high-speed transport, being developed by the company using friction stir welding technology.
• The new Cheboksarets electric bus with a body made from extruded aluminium profiles: a fully domestic development combining low weight, strength and energy efficiency. Intended for urban passenger transport, it meets modern environmental requirements.

These developments highlight the company’s contribution to new technology in passenger transport and infrastructure. Aluminium alloys and advanced welding methods significantly reduce structural weight, increase reliability and extend service life.

Andrey Nikitin praised Sespel’s engineering solutions and noted the importance of introducing such developments nationwide. Oleg Nikolayev described the Cheboksarets electric bus as an important regional step towards import substitution and environmentally friendly public transport.

Participation in the Reka forum as general partner enabled Sespel to strengthen ties with relevant government bodies, demonstrate its capabilities and confirm its readiness to deliver major projects for Russia’s transport industry.