In view of the safety issues of ship navigation and berthing in the intermediate channel between two-stage 1,000-ton-class ship lifts,a combined approach of physical model tests and ship maneuvering simulation is adopted.Navigation tests are conducted for ships departing straight from the second-stage ship chamber.The effects of ship navigation conditions on key factors are revealed,such as water surface fluctuations in the intermediate channel,sinkage of navigating ships,and forces on berthed ships,and the maximum safe navigation speed in the intermediate channel is proposed.The results indicate that comprehensively considering the docking safety and operational efficiency of ship lifts,as well as the safety of ship navigation and berthing,the navigation speed in the intermediate channel should not exceed 1.5 m/s.The design navigable water depth of 3.6 m for the intermediate channel is reasonable and reliable,which can meet the safety requirements of ship navigation.The overall alignment of the intermediate channel is reasonable,and the ship can maintain basically stable course when sailing at the maximum speed of 1.5 m/s