China Opens Pinglu Canal — a New Gateway to the Sea
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.