On February 24, it was learned from the Yangtze River Three Gorges Navigation Administration that from February 15 to 23, the Three Gorges hub river section cumulatively received 421,000 tourists, with a daily average year-on-year increase of 102.9%. Among them, ferry transport accounted for 117,000 passengers, with a daily average year-on-year increase of 174.3%.
While the passenger transport of this strategic throat of the golden waterway gained popularity during the Spring Festival, freight transport was also booming. From February 15 to 23, the Three Gorges hub safely operated a total of 288 lock (chamber) cycles, passing 861 ships, with a daily average year-on-year increase of 17.6%; it passed 3.758 million tons of cargo, with a daily average year-on-year increase of 18%, including timely transit of 1.092 million tons of essential civilian supplies through the dam.
To strengthen the waterborne safety defense during the Spring Festival holiday, the Yangtze River Three Gorges Navigation Administration enhanced services, monitored water levels in the channel during the dry season, increased the frequency of inspections on lock and ship lift equipment and facilities, optimized ship transit organization, and ensured safe, stable, and efficient transit transport. For passenger ferry transport, it intensified navigation situation analysis, studied passenger flow patterns in its jurisdiction during the holiday, and formulated safeguard plans for key water areas and “one route, one policy” measures along with navigation /closure management based on weather forecasts. Simultaneously, it conducted comprehensive “health checks” on all passenger ferries deployed for the Spring Festival travel rush, implementing “tiered responsibility assignment” and onboard supervision and escort services.
All-media reporter Chen Jun, Correspondent Wang Rundong
