CCTV News: As an important "golden waterway" to the north and south, the Grand Canal has become increasingly busy these days and has ushered in the peak of the "water Spring Festival travel rush". In Yangzhou, Jiangsu, various departments have taken multiple measures to ensure the safety and order of the "Water Spring Festival travel rush".
In the morning, the reporter saw in the waiting area of the ships downstream of the Grand Canal Bridge Lock, and cargo ships of all sizes were waiting for the gate to be opened and released. Boatman Yu Xianjun transported sand and gravel from Hubei to Yangzhou this time. If he could successfully repost it on time, he could go home for the New Year.
Boatman Yu Xianjun said, "It's time to go home for the New Year. (Reporter: Is it too late?) It's too late, the gate passes is quite fast, and the water service is also very good."
The navigation department introduced that in order to deliver all kinds of goods to the destination before the Spring Festival, the number of ships transporting building materials, sand, gravel, coke and other bulk materials on the Grand Canal has increased significantly recently. It is estimated that during the 2025 Spring Festival travel rush, the Shiqiao lock in the Yangzhou section of the canal is expected to be released 3,700 to 4,000 locks, and the ship passes are expected to reach 30 million tons. In order to cope with the pre-holiday freight peak, they increased their cruise frequency and improved their services.
Lu Xiangbin, director of Shiqiao Ship Lock Management Office of Yangzhou Navigation Center, Subei Navigation Management Office, said: "We provide boaters with water replenishment, charging piles, garbage recycling, including express delivery services. We will also provide some help when we encounter difficulties and urgent matters."
