Knots Tie the Four Seas, Craftsmanship Accompanies the Voyage — Live Coverage of the Finals of the Second "COSCO Shipping Cup" Sailor Knot Competition

"Last year, our Anhua youth team won the championship in the youth group of the inaugural competition. The good news spread back to the mountains, and the campus was abuzz with excitement. Upon returning as champions, Nan Jin Township Primary School and General Primary School both established sailor knot clubs. I, who had once practiced knot tying diligently, became known as the 'little master' among my juniors... I shared all the knot-tying techniques and maritime stories I had heard, allowing more children in the mountains to touch the ropes and see the distant sea." Xia Xinwang, an eighth-grade student from Nan Jin Township Middle School in Anhua County, Hunan Province, shared at the second "COSCO Shipping Cup" Sailor Knot Competition, "A single rope, a thousand knots; a deep mountain, a vast ocean. In the past, the mountains of Anhua were separated by thousands of miles from the deep blue sea. It was the 15 years of targeted assistance from COSCO Shipping Group that built a bridge between the mountains and the sea. Today, a sailor knot has become a bond, allowing children from the deep mountains to understand the unique maritime heritage of the 'deep blue'."

On July 9, the finals of the second "COSCO Shipping Cup" Sailor Knot Competition were successfully held in Yangzhou, Jiangsu. As one of the important series of events for China's Maritime Day in 2026, this competition, themed "Knots Connecting the Seas, Craftsmanship Accompanying Voyages," was jointly organized by COSCO Shipping Group and the China Institute of Navigation. Twenty contestants from the professional and academic groups of national port and shipping enterprises and maritime colleges gathered at the finals to compete in a peak showdown. Over 150 industry guests, maritime culture enthusiasts, and media representatives witnessed this pinnacle competition of dexterity.

Speed on Fingertips, True Skills in a Small Space

The finals consisted of three rounds: the Knot Speed Race, the Knot Application Race, and the Knot Creativity Race, comprehensively testing the contestants' knot-tying skills, practical application, and creative design abilities.

With the chief referee's command, the first round, the Knot Speed Race, kicked off. Contestants from the professional and academic groups were divided into groups of 10 through a draw. Each group competed simultaneously on stage, with each contestant required to complete 10 designated sailor knots in the order specified on the task card within three minutes.

On the competition stage, the contestants focused intently, their fingers flying like shuttles. The audience's eyes followed the contestants' hands closely, occasionally letting out exclamations and applause.

One by one, the ropes in their hands quickly wove, wrapped, and tightened. In no time, knots such as the square knot, figure-eight knot, and clove hitch took shape and were neatly placed in front of the task card rack. The professional group contestants displayed clean and efficient movements, showcasing the solid skills honed through years of maritime experience. The academic group students, undaunted, demonstrated skilled and steady techniques, fully embodying the vitality of the new generation of mariners.

As an ancient craft closely tied to maritime activities, sailor knots have a wide range of uses. On the vast sea, sailors use knots to secure cargo, moor ships, and construct rigging. Each knot represents a specific purpose and significance, and every knot is crucial to the safety and stability of navigation. As Zhang Shanmin, chairman of the labor union of COSCO Shipping Group, said in his speech: "A single knot ties the ship and the sail, safeguards navigation and safety, embodies the team spirit of unity and cooperation, carries the innovative spirit of pioneering and progress, and reflects the resilience to face challenges and overcome difficulties."

According to the competition referee, the speed race not only tested completion time but also evaluated the accuracy, firmness, neatness, and aesthetic quality of the knots, as well as whether they were placed in the correct order according to the task card. "It's not enough to tie knots quickly; they must also be tied accurately, securely, and beautifully."

Practical Demonstration, Teamwork Showcases Craftsmanship

If the speed race was the ultimate display of individual basic skills, the second round, the Application Race, was a comprehensive test of team coordination and practical abilities. The application race focused on core operational scenarios in shipping. Contestants from the professional and academic groups were divided into four teams of five through a draw, performing knot applications based on set scenarios.

The professional group's "Stretcher Rescue Challenge" was the first to take the stage. Each team had 10 minutes to use synthetic ropes, hardwood sticks, and other materials to construct a rescue stretcher. Tying, reinforcing, testing... Team members divided tasks clearly and cooperated seamlessly. The knots were tight and secure, evenly spaced, and aesthetically pleasing. Once the stretcher was completed, one team member acted as the injured person, while the other four worked together to lift and transport them to the rescue point as quickly and steadily as possible. The entire process was smooth and fluid, fully demonstrating the crew's emergency response capabilities and teamwork in unexpected situations.

The academic group's "Creative Use of Ropes to Transport Buckets Challenge" was equally exciting. Contestants used barrel knots combined with stick knots to secure buckets of paint or bottle neck knots combined with stick knots to secure buckets of water, transporting the goods single-handedly to designated locations. The knots were appropriately tight, and the goods were stable and secure. Although it was a simulated scenario, it reflected the meticulous and rigorous work style of mariners.

Guo Songqi, a standout young face from Qingdao Ocean Seafarer Vocational College, has participated in the competition for two consecutive years. After winning honors in the inaugural event, he represented the academic group again this year. Reflecting on his preparation journey, Guo said, "As a future seafarer, sailor knots are not just a performance on the competition stage but a 'lifeline' in maritime operations—from mooring and unmooring to securing cargo and equipment during navigation, and even emergency rescues in critical situations. Every knot is tied to the safety of people and ships, leaving no room for error." To prepare for this competition, he incorporated knot-tying practice into his daily routine.

What impressed Guo the most was the team cohesion on the competition stage. "During preparation, contestants from different schools shared techniques and coordinated rhythms. On the stage, everyone worked as one, persevering through every relay." Over two competitions, he not only solidified his professional skills but also made many valuable friends and mentors. He expressed his determination to continue honing his maritime operational skills and to embark on his own deep-blue journey with solid expertise.

Creativity Shines, Ancient Craft Gains New Life

As the competition progressed, it reached the creativity round. The refreshing Knot Creativity Race focused on innovative applications and design expressions of sailor knots, emphasizing creativity, practicality, and aesthetics.

Contestants used sailor knots as the core medium of their creations, integrating maritime elements to complete their works in advance. They recorded 3-5 minute videos of the creation process, including the start of knot-tying, the tying process, and the final product display. Before the finals, the judging panel reviewed the videos, preliminarily scored the works, and selected five pieces from each group.

At the finals, the shortlisted contestants took turns presenting their works. Each entry showcased unique ingenuity—some drew inspiration from ocean-going ships, weaving knots to evoke the momentum of riding the waves; others took shapes from nature, such as a butterfly spreading its wings amidst waves, vibrant and full of life; still others used ropes of varying thickness to create intricate layers, replicating the silhouette of a lighthouse standing tall, with knots symbolizing unwavering guardianship and the gentle intention of guiding ships home.

The names of the works were equally meaningful: "Tidal Light and Dragonfly Wings," "Knots Connecting Mountains and Seas," "Anchored Voyage," "Beacon Guiding the Seas," "Lighthouse Knot: Light of Navigation," "Butterfly Sail Chasing Waves: Connecting the Seas," and "Silken Rope Weaving Airships: Sailing Thousands of Miles." Each poetic name conveyed the deep affection and reverence mariners hold for the sea.

Liang Tong, from the Maritime Engineering Department of Hebei Building Materials Vocational and Technical College, advanced from campus competitions to the national finals due to his passion for sailor knots. During preparation, he often practiced late into the night in the training room, developing calluses on his fingers and solidifying his skills through repeated knot-tying. His creation, "Butterfly Sail Chasing Waves: Connecting the Seas," combined the agility of a butterfly with the resilience of a sailboat, symbolizing that mariners, despite enduring storms, can transform and navigate the seas. His work captivated the audience.

Inspiring People, Maritime Spirit Touches Hearts

Beyond the competition, a cultural warmth also flowed. The Yangzhou COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Band opened the event with songs, blending the charm of Jiangnan with maritime passion.

Children from Anhua County, a targeted assistance area of COSCO Shipping Group in Hunan Province, demonstrated sailor knot techniques on-site. These children from the mountains used their young hands to skillfully tie knots passed down for centuries, sharing touching stories of maritime culture taking root and flourishing in the depths of the mountains.

Summer Ziqi, a student from Nan Jin Township in Anhua County, said, "Coming to Yangzhou, what impressed me most was not the gardens but the contestants' hard work and superb knot-tying skills on the competition stage, as well as the scenes at Yangzhou Port: giant ships with 'COSCO SHIPPING' written on them cutting through the waves, and cranes on the docks rising and falling... I made a silent vow to master my skills! In the future, I want to tie these knots on the bollards of COSCO Shipping's ocean-going ships, measure the vastness of the world, and repay this warmth that transcends mountains and seas!"

Captain Bai Xiangen, China's first female navigator to cross the Arctic Ocean and a professor at Shanghai Maritime University, shared her maritime experiences and science stories. In 2012, she was the only maritime volunteer aboard the polar research icebreaker "Xuelong," crossing the Arctic Ocean. In the perilous and icy waters filled with towering ice ridges, she successfully completed the research mission with her excellent maritime skills and unwavering determination. In recent years, she has devoted herself to maritime science education, producing over 300 short science videos on platforms like Douyin, WeChat Video, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and Kuaishou, with billions of views. Captain Bai's science outreach has drawn more attention to maritime affairs, enhanced public awareness of scientific innovation and maritime spirit, and inspired young people to pursue maritime careers, contributing to the nation's maritime power strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative. "Maritime has no boundaries; strive to be the best version of yourself." Her sharing allowed the audience to feel the courage and responsibility of mariners.

After intense competition, three winners were selected from the professional and academic groups in the speed and creativity races. The top-ranked teams in the application race from both groups also received awards. Leaders from COSCO Shipping Group, the China Institute of Navigation, and the China Seafarers Construction Union presented awards to the winners.

From lone sails and compasses cutting through waves to giant ships navigating the oceans, China's maritime industry is achieving historic breakthroughs. The second "COSCO Shipping Cup" Sailor Knot Competition, through high-level skill contests and cultural displays, has breathed new life into this ancient craft. On the competition stage, contestants made friends through skills, honed their expertise through competition, deepened mutual understanding, and fostered recognition, resonating the profound heritage of maritime culture with the spirit of the times. "Participating in this competition has been a privilege. For frontline sailors, it is not just a skill contest but also an opportunity to deepen and review maritime fundamentals," said Jiang Xiaowei, a sailor from the "Yan Gang Tuo 5" tugboat of Shandong Port Yantai Port Tug Company, after the competition.

Maritime navigation is a dialogue between humanity and the sea, a contest of courage and wisdom, and a fusion of culture and civilization. Small knots connect ships and shores, link mountains and seas, and carry the eternal flame of maritime heritage. Competing in speed, showcasing teamwork, and demonstrating creativity, the contestants used small knots to leverage big maritime dreams, bringing new vitality to traditional crafts. They enriched the maritime atmosphere of Yangzhou, the canal capital, and deeply instilled the theme of "Knots Connecting the Seas, Craftsmanship Accompanying Voyages" into people's hearts, fostering a shared understanding and action to pass on maritime culture and promote the maritime spirit, injecting strong momentum into building a strong transportation and maritime nation.