The finite element software ABAQUS is used to construct the whole finite element model of the high-lift ship lift system,which is composed of the base,tower column,ship chamber and water,lifting cables,pulleys,counters,vertical and horizontal guides.Dynamic characteristics analysis of the high-lift ship lift system is carried out using numerical simulation method.The effect of foundation stiffness and the chamber vertical position on the dynamic characteristics of the ship lift are investigated.The results show that the vibration modes are more intensive and the few initial modal frequencies are zero without considering the foundation,which may lead to the dynamic instability of operating system.In the ship lift system,the overturning and lifting modes will adversely affect the strength of the security agencies and the stability of the ship lift system.The corresponding frequency value of the main mode of the ship lift structure is decreasing when the vertical position of the ship lift chamber is changed from low to high.