Enhancing systemic resilience to multi-hazards in inland waterways: A 10-year evaluation of the "Internet of Ships" strategy in the Yangtze River Delta

Waterway transport is a cornerstone of green, low-carbon logistics, yet it is increasingly vulnerable to multi-hazards — ranging from extreme weather and flooding to infrastructure failures and traffic congestion. To address these threats, the project "Internet of Ships" (船联网) was initiated 10 years ago across the Yangtze River Delta and the Grand Canal. This project aims to transform traditional shipping into a highly resilient, intelligent system that connects ships, the shore, and land-based management centers to one another. To ensure this system could withstand real-world systemic shocks, the project team analyzed over 5,000 surveys and conducted 120 field studies. This research led to a systematic strategy that directly enhances the waterway resilience: 1. Multi-Hazard Sensing on infrastructure and vessels for early warnings before a minor issue turns into a systemic failure. 2. Data Fusion for Rapid Response in case of emergency to avoid cascading effects through the network. 3. Smart Emergency Coordination to rescue and re-routes traffic and to retain the network functions even under stress. 4. Operational Efficiency is improved by establishing the Waterway ETC (non-stop lock passage) that alone saves 590 million RMB annually by reducing idling time — making the system more efficient and less prone to the cascading delays often seen in multi-hazard events. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that digital soft infrastructure can reinforce physical hard infrastructure, creating a shipping network that is not only green but robust enough to recover quickly from diverse environmental and operational hazards.