It is reported that the Northern Line Ship Locks of Three Gorges Project stopped to be used for its first time for annual maintenance on March 2nd. The maintenance will last for 20 days. The emergency transportation over the dam for short distant passenger & cargo was operated.

　　Shipping service will be stopped from 8am May 2nd to 8am May 22nd for the maintenance. At that time, the South Line Ship Locks will implement a single line 24 hours reversing navigation operation mode which might cause a lot of ships to wait for passing in the channel.

　　In order to relieve the pressure of shipping service in the South Line Ship Locks and to transport passengers efficiently during the annual maintenance, the Transportation over the Dam Leading Group which consists of members of Three Gorges Project Administration Bureau and Navigation Administration took emergency measures for passengers and cargoes except the long-distance ones. Passengers and cargoes will be transported by the accommodation road and highway from the south and north bank port respectively. (Reporter Liu Min)