The Pinglu Canal project, under construction in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is set to revolutionize inland navigation! Spanning 134.2 kilometers from the Xijin Reservoir in Hengzhou through Qinzhou to the Beibu Gulf, this flagship project of the Chinese mainland's New Western Land-Sea Corridor creates a direct link between inland waterways and the sea. 🚢
A standout feature is the Madao Junction, which will house the world's largest inland water-saving ship lock. Measuring 300 meters long, 34 meters wide, and 8 meters deep, this innovative double-lane lock overcomes a 65-meter elevation difference using three-level water-saving chambers that conserve 60% of the water required to lift ships. 💧
Once operational, the canal will shorten shipping routes by over 560 kilometers for cargo vessels from southwest China, offering the most direct inland access to ASEAN markets and bolstering regional trade. 🌏
With a total investment of around 72.7 billion yuan and a scheduled completion in 2026, the project will enhance navigation, water supply, irrigation, flood control, and ecological improvement. It also supports Guangxi's "one zone, two hubs, one base, and one corridor" initiative, driving economic growth and transforming regional resource advantages into new momentum for development. 🔥
Reference(s):
Pinglu Canal to feature world's largest Iinland water-saving ship lock
cgtn.com
