On the morning of August 20th, with the arrival of five dredging vessels, including the Changying 8 and Ezhonggang Floating 002, into the Zhijiang and Jiangkou waterways, the 2025 Yangtze River trunk line Yichang section waterway maintenance dredging project officially commenced. By the end of this year, the maintained water depth during the dry season for the Yichang to Wuhan section of the Yangtze River is expected to be increased to 4.5 meters, allowing 5,000-ton vessels to travel fully loaded between Wuhan and Yichang.
Dredging vessels are operating.
The Yichang to Wuhan section of the Yangtze River waterway spans approximately 612.5 kilometers, accounting for about one-fifth of the Yangtze trunk line. This section connects the Three Gorges Reservoir area upstream and the deep-water channel downstream, serving as a core corridor for promoting coordinated development among the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze. The waterway is winding with numerous shoals and shallow waters, significantly limiting the comprehensive shipping efficiency of the Yangtze Golden Waterway. In particular, the Zhijiang section between Yichang and Jingzhou faces issues such as “steep slopes and rapid currents” and “recurrent siltation” each dry season, becoming a bottleneck that restricts the Yangtze waterway’s capacity.
In 2016, the Yangtze deep-water channel improvement “645 Project” (6-meter water depth from Anqing to Wuhan and 4.5-meter water depth from Wuhan to Yichang) was established as a construction goal and included in the national “Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Plan Outline.” The “645 Project” officially began implementation in 2018. In April 2024, the 6-meter water depth channel improvement project from Wuhan to Anqing was completed and passed final acceptance, meeting the year-round navigation needs of 10,000-ton vessels and transforming Wuhan from a “river port” to a “sea port.”
Dredging vessels are operating.
Since the implementation of the “645 Project,” the Yangtze Yichang Waterway Authority has increased the minimum maintained water depth during the dry season from 3.5 meters to the anticipated 4.5 meters by the end of this year, through a combination of dredging and maintenance.
Every inch of water depth is invaluable. It is estimated that for every 0.1-meter increase in water depth, a 2,000-ton cargo ship can carry approximately 170 more tons of goods, increasing profits by about 10%. Once the 4.5-meter water depth is fully achieved in the Wuhan to Yichang section, it will significantly unlock the shipping potential of the middle Yangtze, reduce logistics costs, improve transport efficiency, and help build a comprehensive transportation corridor along the river. It will also enable more bulk commodities to be transported from the upper to the middle reaches of the Yangtze, promoting the transition of ships and ports toward larger, standardized, and intelligent operations.
Yangtze River
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human habitation and irrigation dating back millennia. It has served as a major transportation artery and a geographical and cultural dividing line between north and south China throughout history. Today, it is also the site of the massive Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station.
Zhijiang
Zhijiang is a county-level city in Hunan Province, China, historically significant as the site where Japan formally surrendered to China in 1945, ending the Second Sino-Japanese War. It is home to the Zhijiang Surrender Memorial Hall, which commemorates this pivotal event. The area is also known for its rich ethnic diversity, being an autonomous county for the Dong and Miao peoples.
Jiangkou
Jiangkou is an archaeological site in Sichuan, China, famous as the location of a major battlefield from the late Ming Dynasty. It is historically significant as the place where peasant rebellion leader Zhang Xianzhong was defeated in 1646, and it gained modern fame for the discovery of a vast trove of sunken silver and gold artifacts.
Three Gorges Reservoir
The Three Gorges Reservoir is a vast body of water on the Yangtze River in China, created by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. It was formed between 2003 and 2009, submerging numerous towns, archaeological sites, and farmland. The reservoir was built primarily for flood control and hydroelectric power generation, representing one of the largest and most controversial engineering projects in history.
Yangtze Golden Waterway
The Yangtze Golden Waterway refers to the navigable section of China’s Yangtze River, which has been a vital transportation artery and economic corridor for millennia. Historically, it was the heartland of ancient Chinese civilization and the site of major historical events. Today, it remains crucial for trade, tourism, and hydroelectric power, most notably due to the modern engineering feat of the Three Gorges Dam.
Yichang
Yichang is a major city in China’s Hubei province, historically known as a gateway to the Three Gorges region on the Yangtze River. Its modern significance is largely tied to the nearby Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station in terms of installed capacity. The city itself has a history dating back over two millennia, serving as a strategic military and transportation hub.
Wuhan
Wuhan is a major city in central China, formed in 1927 through the merger of the three historic towns of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang. It is historically significant as the site of the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it is a vital economic and transportation hub, known for its universities and research institutes.
Anqing
Anqing is a historic port city in Anhui Province, China, situated on the north bank of the Yangtze River. It served as the provincial capital of Anhui for nearly 200 years and was a critical center for military defense and trade. The city is also known for its role in the Taiping Rebellion, where it was a fiercely contested stronghold.
