In recent years, Huai’an has made efforts to advance the building of a “Waste-Free Canal” focusing on 6 key areas: developing waste-free modern shipping, promoting green port development, strengthening industrial pollution control, enhancing ecological protection and restoration, improving living environments, and promoting the culture of the waste-free canal.

Firstly, Huai’an has committed to the green development of the canal. The city has made significant progress in integrated water pollution management for ships, cities, and ports. The ecological environment quality along the canal has continuously improved, with 85% of national and provincial water quality monitoring sections meeting Class III or above, and the elimination of water bodies worse than Class V. The transfer and disposal rate of ship pollutants remains above 98%, with a 100% coverage rate for vapor recovery facilities at crude oil and refined oil loading terminals, the safe disposal rate of industrial solid waste, and the waste classification system for household garbage.

Secondly, Huai’an has built a strong foundation for the waste-free development of the canal. The city has leveraged the “1+N” enforcement model to enhance the accuracy of cracking down on illegal activities such as unauthorized discharge, leakage, and false delivery of ship pollutants. The smart transformation and demonstration point construction for ship pollutant reception facilities along the Huai’an section of the Grand Canal have been implemented, continuously improving the digitalization and intelligence levels of ship pollutant delivery and reception.

Thirdly, Huai’an has highlighted the ecological and cultural heritage of the canal. The city has preserved the trusses of the original Donggang Terminal as historical memory and transformed the Zhengda and Tianshen terminals into “Time Terminals” and other landmarks. These efforts have showcased Huai’an’s rich history and culture, including its strategic position connecting nine provinces, its canal culture, and its grain transportation culture. Additionally, more than ten waterfront platforms, such as Huixing Square, Lighthouse Square, and Left Bank Garden, have been constructed, effectively expanding the city’s waterfront space.