As a key node linking these two major water systems, vessels departing from here can travel north to connect with the Yangtze River shipping network and reach Shanghai directly, east to access Ningbo Port for river-to-sea transportation, west to enter the inland waterways of Anhui Province, and south to destinations such as Jinhua in central Zhejiang. With an annual cargo throughput once exceeding 60 million metric tons, the lock has strongly supported the transportation of coal, construction materials, grain, and other essential goods in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Additionally, due to its proximity to the Qiantang River estuary, Sanbao Ship Lock helps regulate tidal surges and seasonal floods from the Qiantang River, preventing saltwater intrusion into the canal and safeguarding both its freshwater ecosystem and navigation safety. Today, with the implementation of the "ZheZhaTong" intelligent dispatch system, the efficiency of vessel passage through the lock has been significantly enhanced.