Heilongjiang Lighthouse International Logistics Co., Ltd.

China has opened the 134-km Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, creating a new direct waterway between inland areas of southwestern China and the Beibu Gulf.

- What changes for logistics?

The new canal significantly shortens the route from inland China to the sea. On some routes, vessels will be able to travel more than 560 km less than before.

The canal is designed to accommodate vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes, opening new opportunities for moving larger volumes of cargo by inland waterways.

- A stronger connection with ASEAN

The Pinglu Canal gives southwestern China a faster route to the ports of the Beibu Gulf and further to Southeast Asian markets.

For logistics, this means shorter routes, lower transportation costs and better connectivity between China’s inland regions and ASEAN countries.

The project is another major step in China’s development of alternative logistics corridors and its growing trade links with Southeast Asia.

Typhoon Dolphin has caused major disruptions at some of China’s largest ports. Operations in Shanghai and Ningbo were temporarily suspended, creating a significant backlog of vessels waiting to enter and leave the ports.

According to The Loadstar, around 2.4 million TEU of container capacity has been affected by congestion and delays across Asian ports.

Even as port operations return to normal, the impact will not disappear overnight. Shipping schedules may take several weeks to recover, with delays likely to spread further along global supply chains.

The shortage of available vessel capacity in Asia is already forcing some carriers to reconsider routing and fleet deployment.

For shippers, the message is simple: even after the storm passes, its impact on schedules, transit times and container availability may continue for weeks.

Sweden needs to accelerate the renewal of its icebreaker fleet to ensure year-round port access and support the growth of northern industries.

A joint report by the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency warns that the current fleet is ageing and that without urgent investment, critical trade routes could face operational restrictions.

Sweden’s northern industries rely on winter icebreaking services to transport raw materials and export finished products. However, many of the country’s icebreakers were built in the 1970s and increasingly face technical challenges. Authorities warn that the existing fleet can no longer guarantee full-year accessibility to all ports.

As an initial step, Sweden is already building a new large icebreaker in South Korea, with delivery expected in 2029. The report also recommends ordering at least two new A-class icebreakers to replace older Atle-class vessels, while extending the operational life of Oden and Idun.

Future demand for icebreaking capacity is expected to rise due to growing cargo volumes through northern ports, Sweden’s NATO membership and potential offshore wind development in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Bothnian Sea.

Icebreakers are becoming more than a tool for commercial shipping — they are a key part of national transport resilience and strategic infrastructure.

Sweden and Finland also plan to strengthen bilateral cooperation by upgrading their agreement, introducing joint digital systems and creating a shared emergency icebreaker resource. The long-term plan includes ordering two new A-class icebreakers in 2028, with deliveries expected in 2033–2034, and a possible third vessel in 2030.