The new outbound channel for high-end heavy industrial equipment along the Yangtze River is rapidly taking shape.
On October 1, under the meticulous management of the Taicang Maritime Bureau, the "Fenghai Dada" vessel, loaded with 20 sets of wind turbine blades, set sail from Zhenghe International Terminal at Jiangsu Taicang Port for India's Tuticorin Port. This transportation project is a key maritime project in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative. The overall plan includes a total shipment of 331 sets of SI-16840 wind turbine blades, comprising 993 individual blades, with a total cargo volume of approximately 1.4 million cubic meters. So far, the project has successfully completed loading and dispatch tasks for 10 vessels, with a cumulative cargo volume of 770,000 cubic meters. It is expected to be fully concluded by mid-2027.Recent data shows that since 2026, Taicang Port's export transportation business for major equipment has steadily increased. A total of 347 shipments have been handled, ensuring the export of major items such as wind power equipment, bridge components, and heavy machinery. The total cargo export volume reached 897,000 tons and 7.175 million cubic meters. The shipping routes now span over 20 countries and regions worldwide, with a robust increase in demand for high-end heavy industrial equipment transportation overseas. Taicang Port is becoming an important gateway for "Made in China" products to reach the world.Facing challenges such as large individual dimensions of major equipment, high navigational risks, and complex transportation organization, Taicang Maritime Bureau has proactively taken responsibility, implemented precise measures, and fully established a comprehensive safety monitoring mechanism for transporting major cargo items. With these measures, the Bureau ensures the safe departure of wind power equipment, bridge components, heavy machinery, and other major items.Advanced pre-assessment ensures that regulatory services are provided in advance. Leveraging the dedicated service and regulatory platform for major cargo at Taicang Port, Taicang Maritime Bureau intervened early and provided proactive services. They completed pre-assessments of vessel qualification certificates, ship stability data, heavy cargo stowage plans, and major item-specific lashing and securing documentation. Each aspect was meticulously checked, including localized structural strength, navigational stability, heavy cargo securing and lashing, and wave resistance protocols. This comprehensive approach effectively identifies and addresses risks across loading, lashing, and navigation processes, ensuring compliance and safety in operation and voyage plans.Responsibilities are firmly clarified, and tailored security plans are put in place. Considering the over-limit transportation characteristics of major items like wind power equipment, bridge components, and heavy machinery, as well as the navigational realities of the Yangtze River jurisdiction, Taicang Maritime Bureau thoroughly examines safety risks in key aspects such as hoisting, securing reinforcement, and vessel berthing. It encourages collaborative efforts among partner companies, shipping enterprises, and terminal operators, organizes pre-voyage specialized risk assessment meetings, and develops customized "one vessel, one plan" security solutions. Detailed responsibilities are clarified for each unit in loading, unloading, and emergency response, creating a closed-loop safety responsibility system.Comprehensive multidimensional controls ensure sailing safety. Taicang Maritime Bureau, relying on the Yangtze River Maritime Navigation Monitoring and Early Warning Platform, utilizes electronic navigation, CCTV monitoring, UAV aerial inspections, maritime patrol boat on-site management, and VTS traffic organization to establish an integrated "air-water-land" management system. During critical periods such as vessel berthing and channel crossings, patrol resources are deployed to manage traffic on-site, ensuring navigational safety and guaranteeing the safe and efficient departure of entire wind power units.Taicang Maritime Bureau will continue to leverage its functional advantages, conduct in-depth investigations into enterprise needs, improve regulatory initiatives, and optimize the business environment. Through "enhanced safety," it will assist "great development," enabling more "Made in China" products to voyage from Taicang Port to the world.
