China News Service, Yangzhou, April 22 (Chen Juqin, Liu Yun) On April 22, the Yangzhou Maritime Safety Administration released the latest statistical data: In the first quarter of 2026, crude oil transportation in the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River experienced explosive growth. The maritime department ensured the safe entry and exit operations of 1,003 crude oil transport vessels, with a cumulative crude oil throughput of 5.52 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 80.98%. This impressive data marks the further consolidation of Yangzhou Port's position as an important energy transfer hub on the Yangtze River trunk line.

　　Yangzhou Yizheng Port Area is located in the upstream golden waters of the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River. It is an important crude oil transfer port on the Yangtze River trunk line and one of the leading bases for the collection and distribution of petroleum and liquid chemical raw materials in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Currently, all waterway-transferred crude oil required in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River is realized through "water-to-water transfer" at Yizheng Port, highlighting its strategic significance in energy supply security.

　　To address the challenges brought by the rapid growth in throughput, the Yangzhou Maritime Safety Administration has focused on the goals of "safety, efficiency, green, and smooth operations" and innovatively established a full-chain safety governance system for crude oil waterway transportation. In collaboration with the Dongying Maritime Safety Administration at the departure port, they have jointly built a premium waterway transportation route for crude oil between Shandong and Jiangsu. This system organically integrates elements such as personnel, vessels, cargo, ports, environment, and management, strengthening the supervision of the entire process, including consignment, carriage, loading and unloading, transportation, and emergency response, achieving comprehensive, full-process, and all-encompassing transportation guarantees.

　　"In the past, oil tankers often had to wait for berths and scheduling when entering the port. Now, with the 'green channel,' each voyage saves a lot of time," said a tanker captain who frequently operates at Yizheng Port. This improvement is attributed to the Yangzhou Maritime Safety Administration's reliance on the smart maritime platform to optimize scheduling, shorten cycles, and enhance efficiency. The maritime office also provides on-site maintenance for sea vessels over 150 meters, ensuring safety and improving the overall operational efficiency of oil tankers.

　　It is worth mentioning that in response to the new "pipeline-to-waterway" sea-to-river transfer model for Shengli crude oil, the Yangzhou Maritime Safety Administration has proactively provided forward-looking services, ensuring the smooth berthing and departure operations of oil tankers throughout the process. This has effectively contributed to the optimization and upgrading of the crude oil transportation system along the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Maritime law enforcement officers have also actively engaged with crude oil transportation companies, terminal units, and ship agents to accurately understand their needs and solve transportation challenges, truly achieving "service first, supervision as a safeguard."

　　A relevant official from the Yangzhou Maritime Safety Administration stated that the next step will be to continuously optimize measures to ensure the transportation of energy materials, strengthen risk prevention and emergency response capabilities, and safeguard the safety and smooth operation of crude oil transportation on the Yangtze River with higher standards and more practical actions. This will lay a solid maritime safety foundation for regional energy security and the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (End)