Songhua River welcomes new shipping season

The navigation channel for the Harbin section of the Songhua River reopened on April 15, following completion of ice blasting which started on April 12.

Over a four-day period, floating ice in the upstream pilot channel of the Dadingzishan Shipping and Power Hub was cleared away to provide clear passage for cargo ships and passenger ferries.

Officers from the Harbin Dadingzishan River Affairs Department announced the opening of the water channel after confirming the navigation conditions of the Songhua River on April 15. It marked the beginning of a new shipping season for the river.

Work to blow up floating ice kicks off in the Harbin section of the Songhua River on April 15. [Photo/chinanews.com]

A manager monitors progress on clearing away the floating ice that is hazardous to ships, at the control center for the Harbin Dadingzishan River Affairs Department. [Photo/chinanews.com]