After nearly two decades in dredging, a craftsman safeguards the golden waterway with dedication.

On May 14 in Shanghai, behind the golden waterway of the Yangtze River estuary, dredging vessels form an invisible “underwater Great Wall” to ensure safe navigation. A senior engineer and leader of a skills master studio has worked in the dredging industry for nearly 20 years. Starting as a mechanic, he grew into a national technical expert through dedicated practice in this niche field.

The engine room is the power core of a dredger, often hot, noisy, and harsh. He works there long-term, maintaining the ship’s power, dredging, and electrical systems. With keen observation and rich experience, he assesses equipment conditions by listening, checking parameters, and examining traces, accurately identifying risks. He acts as a “chief doctor” for the ship’s equipment, able to predict potential failures and quickly handle various malfunctions.

To address the reliance on imported core equipment for dredging vessels, he led a team to overcome this challenge. Previously, imported common rail valve groups for MAN electronically controlled injection engines were costly, slow to supply, and at risk of being cut off. His team conducted hundreds of disassembly tests and successfully localized the repair of these components, meeting performance standards and saving the company over 2 million yuan annually. Over a decade, he led more than ten technical innovations, including a modification to the lubrication system of high-pressure water pump bearing boxes, which won the 2024 Shanghai Employee Rationalization Suggestion Innovation Award, continuously optimizing ship operational efficiency.

Working at sea involves complex conditions and occasional emergencies. Over his career, he has handled over a hundred ship emergencies, calmly resolving issues with professional skill, preventing multiple major accidents and avoiding casualties or significant property losses, firmly safeguarding navigation safety.

At the same time, he focuses on talent development. Using the skills master studio platform, he turns practical experience into teaching materials. He mentors technical personnel, with three of his apprentices becoming national technical experts. The studio has trained 248 senior technicians, technicians, and senior workers. In the past three years, he has conducted various specialized training sessions covering hundreds of people, also addressing gaps in training for clean-energy ship personnel in the country.

As a representative of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, he focuses on crew rights. In 2024, he submitted proposals on caring for crew members, promoting joint policies from multiple Shanghai departments on shipping talent settlement and talent introduction incentives. Dedicated to the rivers and seas, he remains true to his original intention, using expertise as an oar and responsibility as a rudder, steadfastly guarding the stable and long-term development of the dredging industry.

Yangtze River estuary

The Yangtze River estuary, where China’s longest river meets the East China Sea, is a dynamic and ecologically vital region known for its vast wetlands and the megacity of Shanghai at its southern edge. Historically, this area has served as a crucial gateway for trade and cultural exchange, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries when Shanghai developed into a major global port. Today, the estuary supports diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Chinese sturgeon, and is a focus for environmental conservation amid rapid urban and industrial growth.

Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built across northern China, with construction beginning as early as the 7th century BC. It was expanded and reinforced over centuries, most notably during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), to protect Chinese states and empires from invasions. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese history and engineering.

Yangtze River estuary

The Yangtze River estuary, located near Shanghai, is the vast and dynamic mouth

Yangtze River estuary

The Yangtze River estuary, located near Shanghai, is the vast and dynamic mouth where China’s longest river meets the East China Sea. Historically, this region has been a crucial gateway for trade and cultural exchange, with the city of Shanghai developing into a major global port during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the estuary is notable for its unique ecological importance, including the Chongming Dongtan wetlands, which serve as a vital stopover for migratory birds.

Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of fortifications built across northern China to protect against invasions and raids. Construction began as early as the 7th century BCE, with major additions under the Qin (around 220 BCE) and Ming (1368–1644 CE) dynasties. Stretching over 13,000 miles, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese history and engineering.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global financial hub and one of China’s most dynamic cities, located on the eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Its history as a prominent port and commercial center dates back to the 19th century, when it became a key treaty port after the First Opium War, leading to the establishment of foreign concessions that shaped its unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture and culture. Today, Shanghai is renowned for its modern skyline, historic Bund waterfront, and vibrant cultural scene, reflecting its evolution from a small fishing village into a world-class metropolis.

After nearly two decades in dredging, a craftsman safeguards the golden waterway with dedication.

Yangtze River estuary

Great Wall

Yangtze River estuary

Yangtze River estuary

Great Wall

Shanghai

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