// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Pinglu Canal say to its friend? "You can always canal-ize on me.
| Pinglu Canal | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Pinglu Canal | |
| Location | Guangxi |
| Country | China |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 134.2 km (83.4 miles) |
Maximum boat beam | 15.8 m (52 ft) |
Maximum boat draft | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Locks | 3 |
Maximum height AMSL | 65 |
| History | |
| Construction began | August 2022 |
| Date completed | 16 September 2026 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Xijin reservoir, Hengzhou, Guangxi |
| End point | Qinzhou (Gulf of Tonkin) |
The Pinglu Canal (simplified Chinese: 平陆运河; traditional Chinese: 平陸運河; pinyin: Píng-Lù Yùnhé; Jyutping: Peng4 luk6 wan6 ho4), also known as Pingtang–Luwu Canal[1], is a 134.2 km (83.4 mi) canal in Guangxi province, China between Xijin reservoir on the Yu river in Hengzhou and the lower part of the Qin River. Commissioned in September 2026, the canal is an I-class waterway that provides direct access to the Gulf of Tonkin from inland Guangxi, which previously had to rely on the Pearl River delta in the neighboring Guangdong province for maritime transport, and shortens the route to the sea by up to 560 km (350 mi).[2] It is first river-to-sea canal to be constructed since the founding of the People's Republic of China.[3]
Description
[edit]Overall difference in elevation is 65 meters. The lock complexes at Madao, Qishi and Qingnian each have two locks that are 300 meters long and 34 meters wide. Madao locks handle an elevation difference of 30 meters; they reduce water consumption 63% by partially discharging to local reservoirs.[2]
The canal is designed for 5000-ton ships of 90 meter length, 15.8 meter beam and 5.0 meter draft.[4]
Construction
[edit]Construction started in August 2022.[5]
339 million cubic meters of material was expected to be excavated and used to create or reclaim 835.7 hectares of land.[2] The canal was opened on 16 September 2026,[6] having cost CN¥72.7 billion/US$10.2 billion to construct.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Guiyang International Land Port uses Pingtang-Luwu Canal to export Guizhou Goods". Guiyang Trade Zone. 25 August 2026. Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "平陆运河 通江达海-新华网". www.xinhuanet.com. People's Daily. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ↑ He, Yuting, ed. (21 September 2022). "The Pinglu Canal connects the river to the sea". Seetao. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ "平陆运河项目整体初步设计正式获批 - 运河要闻 - 广西壮族自治区交通运输厅". jtt.gxzf.gov.cn. Retrieved 21 August 2024. [dead link]
- 1 2 Guo, Kai; Yan, Maoqiang (24 May 2023). "Construction of Pinglu Canal begins in S China". China Daily. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ "China opens major canal linking landlocked regions to sea". CNA. Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
External references
[edit]- Zhang, Ke (12 June 2024). "China to Open Shortest Waterway From Guangxi to ASEAN in 2026". Yicai Global.
- He, Huifeng (24 July 2023). "Game changer or white elephant? China eyes Asean links with shipping canal". South China Morning Post.
- "China has plans for grand canals". The Economist. 15 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022.
- Tan, CK (30 May 2023). "China's massive new canal aims for closer ASEAN connectivity". Nikkei Asia.