The cumulative throughput of the Three Gorges Project in the first three quarters of 2026 will reach 120 million tons

China News Service, Hubei, Yichang, October 1 (Pei Hongfei, Jiang Yanling) According to news from the Yangtze Three Gorges Navigation Administration on October 1, in the first three quarters of 2026, the cumulative throughput of the Three Gorges Hub reached 120 million tons, continuing to inject strong impetus into the benefits of the Yangtze River's golden waterway and the development of local economies along the river.

In the first three quarters, due to the combined effects of multiple factors such as the planned shutdown of the ship locks of the two dams and the Three Gorges ship lift for maintenance, and the frequent occurrence of extreme severe weather, the pressure on the matching operation of the two dam hubs and navigation dispatching continued to increase, and the difficulty of navigation and traffic organization and on-site management and control pressure increased significantly. The navigation management department continues to carry out investigation and rectification of hidden dangers during the flood season and summer, and collaborates with meteorological and hydrological departments to implement a weather early warning "call and response" mechanism, strictly controls water levels, flows and ship draft standards, and strengthens safety inspections of key ships; it upgrades the Yangtze River "Crew's Home" (Three Gorges Station) and launches a number of convenient services to ensure safe and smooth navigation in the Three Gorges section.

On September 29, the Three Gorges ship lift completed maintenance and resumed navigation, operating jointly with the Three Gorges ship lock. (Drone photo) Photo by Wang Gang

The Three Gorges Ship Lock and the Three Gorges Ship Lift are the permanent navigation structures of the Three Gorges Water Conservancy Project. The two complement each other's advantages and operate jointly, forming a navigation pattern of "large ships climb stairs and small ships take the elevator". Since breaking through the 100 million tons mark for the first time in 2011, the annual throughput of the Three Gorges Project has remained at a high level for 15 consecutive years, continuing to provide solid support for the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the supply of people's livelihood materials along the river, and the high-quality economic and social development of the Yangtze River Basin. (over)