Pinglu Canal
| Pinglu Canal | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Pinglu Canal | |
| Location | Guangxi |
| Country | China |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 134.2 km (83.4 miles) |
| Maximum boat beam | 15.8 metres (52 ft) |
| Maximum boat draft | 5 metres (16 ft) |
| Locks | 3 |
| Maximum height above sea level | 65 |
| History | |
| Construction began | August 2022 |
| Date completed | December 2026 (planned) |
| 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: Pínglù yùnhé; Jyutping: Peng4 luk6 wan6 ho4), is a 134.2-kilometer inland river I-class waterway under construction between Xijin reservoir on the Yu river in Hengzhou and the lower part of the Qin River, allowing access to the Gulf of Tonkin. The canal will shorten the route between inland Guangxi and the sea by up to 560 km (350 mi).[1] It is China's first river-to-sea canal since 1949.[2]
Description
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.[1]
The canal is designed for 5000-ton ships of 90 meter length, 15.8 meter beam and 5.0 meter draft.[3]
Construction
Construction started in August 2022.[4]
The canal is planned to be completed in 2026 for CN¥72.7 billion/US$10.2 billion.[4] 339 million cubic meters of material is expected to be excavated and used to create or reclaim 835.7 hectares of land.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "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 2024-08-21.
- ^ He, Yuting, ed. (21 September 2022). "The Pinglu Canal connects the river to the sea". Seetao. 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 2024-08-21.
- ^ a b Guo, Kai; Yan, Maoqiang (24 May 2023). "Construction of Pinglu Canal begins in S China". China Daily. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
External references
- 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.