Yangtze River Zhijiang section dredging project completed
2025-12-27 20:12:20
By Hu Yikai.
A major dredging project on the Yangtze River near Yichang was completed on December 23. The project, located along the Zhijiang section, began on August 20 and lasted about four months. Construction took advantage of the dry season and was supported by water releases from the Three Gorges Reservoir. The reservoir was filled to its 175-meter level at the end of October, supporting dredging work, navigation and irrigation during the winter.
Ships navigate the Zhijiang waterway. Photo by Yue Wenjie.
The project removed a total of 1.3 million cubic meters of sediment. As a result, the minimum water depth between Yichang and Yaodianzi rose from less than 4 meters to 4.5 meters.
Thanks to this project, 5,000-ton vessels can now pass through the area fully loaded, helping shipping companies reduce logistics costs. For example, a 2,000-ton cargo ship can carry an additional 170 tons of goods for every 0.1-meter increase in water depth, boosting profits by about 10 percent. The ability to accommodate larger ships should help reduce the cost of water transport to Yichang while improving overall efficiency. The work significantly enhances passage capacity and safety along the middle section of the Yangtze River.
Wang Ying and He Yongfang also contributed to this story.
A major dredging project on the Yangtze River near Yichang was completed on December 23. The project, located along the Zhijiang section, began on August 20 and lasted about four months. Construction took advantage of the dry season and was supported by water releases from the Three Gorges Reservoir. The reservoir was filled to its 175-meter level at the end of October, supporting dredging work, navigation and irrigation during the winter.
Ships navigate the Zhijiang waterway. Photo by Yue Wenjie.The project removed a total of 1.3 million cubic meters of sediment. As a result, the minimum water depth between Yichang and Yaodianzi rose from less than 4 meters to 4.5 meters.
Thanks to this project, 5,000-ton vessels can now pass through the area fully loaded, helping shipping companies reduce logistics costs. For example, a 2,000-ton cargo ship can carry an additional 170 tons of goods for every 0.1-meter increase in water depth, boosting profits by about 10 percent. The ability to accommodate larger ships should help reduce the cost of water transport to Yichang while improving overall efficiency. The work significantly enhances passage capacity and safety along the middle section of the Yangtze River.
Wang Ying and He Yongfang also contributed to this story.
