Pudong Maritime Bureau ensures the commencement of the second phase of the Yangtze River South Passage waterway improvement project.

On July 23, with the entry of the large deployment vessel "Chang*19" and auxiliary ships into the construction waters, the main waterborne phase of the second phase of the South Channel Navigation Channel Improvement Project at the Yangtze River Estuary officially commenced. The first batch of construction vessels approved by the maritime department entered the site, marking the full transition of this key national water transport construction project under the "15th Five-Year Plan" into the substantive construction phase.

As the first major water transport project on the Yangtze River trunk line during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the construction of the main waterborne phase includes the construction of a 24-kilometer beach protection diversion dike and the dredging of a 36-kilometer channel. This is the decisive construction stage to increase the channel maintenance depth from 6 meters to 8 meters. Upon completion, the project will accommodate 5,000-ton vessels navigating at all tides and 10,000-ton vessels navigating fully loaded in both directions with tidal assistance, effectively alleviating the navigation pressure on the North Channel deep-water route. It will provide significant water transport support for the construction of the Shanghai International Shipping Center and the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

It is reported that the main project of the second phase of the South Channel Navigation Channel Improvement at the Yangtze River Estuary is divided into three construction sections. The first to commence is Section III (slope dike) for the construction of regulatory structures. The construction area is adjacent to the core navigation section of the South Channel, where construction and navigation conflicts are prominent. The area experiences dense vessel traffic, frequent overlapping operations across multiple sections, and the movement of sand transport and dredging vessels. Navigation organization is challenging, and the area is far from dock shorelines, limiting emergency response capabilities. Additionally, the region is close to the Jiuduansha Wetland Ecological Reserve, requiring high ecological protection standards for beach protection diversion dike construction and large-scale dredging operations. It also faces multiple safety risks, including vessel collisions, water pollution, and emergency evacuations during extreme weather conditions.

Faced with a complex construction environment, the Pudong Maritime Bureau proactively intervened, took the initiative, planned comprehensively, and implemented precise measures to ensure the smooth commencement of the main project. Before construction began, it led the establishment of a multi-party safety consultation mechanism involving "maritime institutions, construction units, supervision units, and construction units." It organized safety coordination meetings in advance to assess the navigation environment and vessel traffic patterns, identified six major risks such as vessel collisions, water pollution, and evacuations during extreme weather, and implemented targeted preventive measures. Responsibilities, handling procedures, and emergency response timelines were clarified for all parties. Through regular consultations and real-time information sharing, a framework for joint risk assessment, problem resolution, and emergency coordination was established. To address the prominent conflicts of numerous construction vessels and overlapping operations, a joint command center was set up to coordinate dredging and sand transport vessels, dynamically manage operations, and refine vessel navigation, channel crossing, and docking schedules. Temporary anchorage areas were scientifically designated, and usage procedures were standardized to balance construction progress with normal channel navigation. Additionally, "First Lesson of Construction" safety education was provided to frontline construction personnel, emphasizing operational standards and strict requirements for water pollution prevention. For adverse weather conditions such as typhoons and sudden strong winds, differentiated evacuation plans were developed based on vessel type and tonnage, with dedicated storm shelter areas coordinated. The East China Sea Rescue Bureau deployed guard tugboats at construction points along the dike section, completed communication tests, and formulated special contingency plans for vessel grounding, collisions, and personnel overboard incidents, ensuring comprehensive water safety.

A relevant official from the Pudong Maritime Bureau stated that vessel entry inspections are the first step in the full-cycle management of construction vessels. The maritime department fully implements source control, ensuring 100% inspection coverage of all incoming construction vessels to prevent "defective" vessels from entering operations. The Pudong Maritime Bureau conducted comprehensive safety supervision inspections on incoming construction vessels, inspecting a total of 18 vessels and deploying over 30 law enforcement personnel. Key checks focused on vessel seaworthiness, crew staffing, and the operational status of critical equipment, ensuring all incoming vessels are fit for operation and laying a solid foundation for the safe commencement of the project. Additionally, leveraging the "South Channel Concentric Circle" Party-building collaboration platform, the maritime department partnered with Party organizations from participating units to deepen joint efforts. A "South Channel Escort" youth task force was formed, with skilled personnel stationed long-term at the construction frontlines to play a pioneering role in vessel safety inspections, navigation order maintenance, and emergency response, providing strong support for the stable commencement of the project through the integration of Party-building efforts.

Next, the Pudong Maritime Bureau will continue to focus on the full-cycle regulatory service needs of the second phase of the South Channel project, deepen cross-departmental collaborative governance and information-sharing mechanisms, and regularly inspect and address navigation safety and pollution risk hazards. It will precisely address the practical difficulties of port and shipping enterprises, ensuring the safe and orderly advancement of major water transport projects with high-quality maritime regulatory services, fully supporting the construction of the Shanghai International Shipping Center and the development of a strong transportation nation.