Shipping hubs are critical nodes in the modern canal system. However, their mass concrete structures face severe cracking and durability issues under complex service environments, which directly impact the structural safety and long-term service life of the projects. This paper systematically reviews the research status, development trends, and technical challenges of mass concrete in shipping hubs, centering on the theme of “Efficient, Safe, and Long-life Design of Canal Waterways and Navigation Structures”. It distills the core scientific issues of cracking prevention and long-life design. The paper proposes technical pathways to enhance the crack resistance and durability of concrete under complex service conditions and explores the application prospects of big data and artificial intelligence technologies in the innovative design and performance optimization of concrete materials. This aims to contribute to achieving the national “dual carbon” goals and the long-life development strategy of infrastructure.