China unveils world's biggest shiplift at the Three Gorges Dam: VIDEO
China unveils world's biggest shiplift at the Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam stands at more than 40-storeys high
VIDEO
edited by kcontents
Neil Connor
18 NOVEMBER 2016
China has unveiled the biggest shiplift in the world at the massive Three Gorges Dam - and the Telegraph was among the first media to take a ride in the huge structure.
Standing at more than 40-storeys high, the incredible feat of engineering represents the final stage of construction at the dam, which is based in the central province of Hubei.
Ships weighing up to 3,000 tonnes travel 113 metres either up or down to continue their journey on the mighty Yangtze River.
At about 40 minutes for each trip, it is a quick and efficient alternative to the locks which are used by the larger vessels.
The enormous Three Gorges Dam CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA
"We can say that the ship lift is one of the greatest achievements of the Three Gorges Dam project," said Wu Xiaoyun, chief project manager of the shiplift.
"That is because the dam has broken many world records, and this ship lift has also done that."
Mr Wu said that the shiplift had undergone a series of strict safety tests, which include ensuring the structure remains stable if water leaks from the 'ship chamber'.
The chamber weights 15,500 tonnes and is held in position by 16 counterweights.
The shiplift was designed by Chinese and German experts, and Mr Wu said another lift in Germany shares some of the advanced capabilities of the Chinese lift.
"But the Three Gorges Dam shiplift sets itself apart from others because of its size," Mr Wu added.
The Three Gorges Dam is one of the world's biggest hydropower projects.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/18/china-unveils-worlds-biggest-shiplift-at-the-three-gorges-dam
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