Ship lock adds 377 sensors, set to reopen on April 18
2026-04-12 19:04:00
By Chen Zai
The south line of the Three Gorges ship lock has completed all maintenance tasks for 2026 and is scheduled to resume operations on April 18.
The south line of the Three Gorges ship lock has completed all maintenance tasks for 2026 and is scheduled to resume operations on April 18.
The planned shutdown and maintenance of the Three Gorges Ship lock south line is nearly complete.
This round of maintenance covered 41 tasks, including work on the lifting system, gate metal structures, and hydraulic and electrical systems. Remote sensors and other new equipment and technologies were introduced for the first time.
A total of 377 sensors were installed at key points on the two gates. They can transmit real‑time data on strain, displacement, and other indicators via fiber optics, detect abnormal signals within milliseconds, and send early warnings. This self‑diagnostic capability reduces safety risks caused by blind spots in underwater inspection.
Technicians install monitoring sensors.
Since beginning operations in 2003, the Three Gorges two five‑tier ship locks have operated safely for 23 years, handling over 150 million tons annually.
Reporter Han Jingwen and Yang Yihang contributed to this story.
