In accordance with the overall requirements of the China Maritime Week 2024 of China Institute of Navigation and the annual work plan of the "High Quality Development forum for Inland Navigation structures " of Ship Lock Committee of the Institute, on August 16, 2024, the Ship Lock Committee held the 2024 Open Academic Exchange Seminar at the Taohualing Hotel, in Yichang, Hubei Province. The seminar invited renowned experts and scholars in the field, including Wu Peng, a National Engineering Survey and Design Master and former Chief Engineer of the CCCC Water Transportation Consultants Co., Ltd, and Wang Xianmei, a National Waterway Transportation Engineering Survey and Design Master and Chief Engineer of the Water Transportation Division at China Design Group Co., Ltd. The seminar focused on the theme of "Ship Lock (Ship Lift) Maintenance and Inspection Technology," providing a platform for discussion and exchange among participants.
The conference was hosted by the China Institute of Navigation (CIN) and organized by the Ship Lock Committee of CIN and Weite Technology Co., Ltd., with a total of 125 representatives from 51 member units across the country attended the in-person conference and nearly 200 technical professionals participated online. The conference invited Yan Xiaobo, Secretary-General of CIN, and Li Shunli, Deputy Director of the Three Gorges Navigation Authority, to attend. Leaders from relevant branches and organizations, including the High-Quality Development Committee for Inland Waterway Transportation of CIN, the Ship Lift Technology Committee of CIN, the Channel Branch of China Water Transportation Construction Association, Inland Port Branch of China Ports& Harbors Association, and Port and Waterway Engineering Committee of Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society, also attended the event. Chairman of the Ship Lock Special Committee, Bao Wenquan, and Vice Chairman, Zhang Yong, presided over the meeting in different segments.
Yan Xiaobo, Secretary-General of CIN, delivered an opening speech on behalf of the host organization. He extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all guests and representatives in attendance. He fully affirmed the Ship Lock Committee for being one of the most dynamic branches of CIN. He noted that the committee's seminars have consistently grown in scale, broadened topics for discussion, and significantly enhanced its industry influence over the years, and it has become a vital platform for introducing new trends and achievements in the ship lock industry. Yan also offered three suggestions and expectations for the industry's development: firstly, the ship lock industry should seize development opportunities by following the prevailing trends and serving the overall interests of country; secondly, the industry should strive for self-reliance and strength through seizing opportunities and pursuing reform and innovation; and thirdly, the industry should expand the industry's influence through exchanges, mutual learning, and win-win cooperation.
Li Shunli, Deputy Director of the Three Gorges Navigation Authority, which serves as the supporting unit of the Ship Lock Committee of CIN, delivered a speech. He highlighted that as the Chair Unit of the Ship Lock Committee, the Three Gorges Navigation Authority has fully demonstrated its leading role in the industry and keeps President Xi's requirements in mind that we must "hold the great strength in our own hands." Focusing on the themes of ship lock (ship lift) maintenance and inspection technology, adhering to the problem- and goal-oriented approach, gathering strength to carry out original, and pioneering technological breakthroughs in ship lock technology, maintenance standards, and independent control, achieving remarkable results. Li further stated that the Authority will continue promoting technological innovation in hub navigation, fostering new productivity, and collaborating with industry partners to develop an "experimental field" and build a "demonstration area" in the Three Gorges, jointly contributing to the high-quality development of inland waterway transportation and the construction of China’s transportation strength.
Nie Daojing, Chairman of Weite Technology Co., Ltd., the co-organizer of the seminar, also delivered a welcome speech. He introduced the development and prospects of Weite Technology, pursuing their philosophy of shared business success. Nie expressed his hope that, with the country’s strong push for the development of the shipping industry and the construction of the new Three Gorges channel, Weite could collaborate with industry units to promote the digitalization and intelligent development of ship lock equipment. Making ship lock operations safer and management easier is Weite’s mission.
During the exchange and seminar session, Wu Peng, a National Engineering Survey and Design Master and former Chief Engineer of CCCC Water Transportation Consultants Co., Ltd., presented a keynote speech titled Development and Prospects of China's Inland Waterway Transportation. The speech comprehensively covered four aspects: the development process and achievements, existing challenges and development plans, major projects and key technologies, as well as development trends and key tasks, offering a detailed overview of the construction, development, future demands and work directions of inland waterway transportation.
Wang Xianmei, a National Waterway Transportation Engineering Survey and Design Master and Chief Engineer of the Water Transport Division at China Design Group Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote report titled Innovations in Ship Lock Engineering Design and New Technologies for Inspection (Monitoring). Using the planning and construction overview of Jiangsu Province's trunk waterway network as an example, Wang introduced several innovations in ship lock engineering design, including improvements in the durability of ship lock concrete, prevention and control of common quality issues, enhancement of the wear resistance of operational components, equipment replacement, and the construction of intelligent ship locks. The report also covered the application of new Technique in ship lock inspection (monitoring).
The conference also invited four industry experts to engage in academic exchanges on the technologies and equipment for the inspection and maintenance of navigation structures, ship lock passage management, and safety monitoring of hydraulic structures. Li Ran, Director of the Navigation Engineering Technology Center of the Three Gorges Navigation Authority, delivered a keynote report on Comprehensive Technologies and Equipment for the Maintenance of Large Ship Locks. Yang Zheng, Chairman of Nanjing Changmiao Technology Co., Ltd., presented on the Application of AI Technology for the Full Process Visual Management of Ship Passage. Wang Ziyang, Director of the Technical Office of the Navigation Engineering Technology Center of the Three Gorges Navigation Authority, gave a report on Safety Monitoring of Hydraulic Structures at the Gezhouba Ship Lock. Finally, Gao Yumin, General Manager of Weite Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a report on Research on the Application of Intelligent Detection and Operation and Maintenance Technologies for Ship Locks.
On the afternoon of August 16, the conference organized a on-site visit for attendees to the laboratory and exhibition room of Weite Technology Co., Ltd. Participants also boarded China's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered demonstration vessel, the “Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat No 1,” to inspect the waterway between the Three Gorges and Gezhouba hubs. They also conducted on-site inspections of the Three Gorges Five-step Lock and the Three Gorges ship lift. During the open academic exchange and discussion session, six participating units presented 13 exhibition boards for promotional displays.
Ship Lock Committee of China Institute of Navigation
August 20, 2024