China Begins Construction of World's Largest Inland Ship Lock on the Yangtze

China has started building a new navigation project at the Three Gorges Dam, including the world’s largest inland ship lock, to expand shipping capacity on the Yangtze River. The 77.2 billion‑yuan ($11.4 billion) initiative will create a new passage at the Three Gorges Dam and enlarge facilities at the Gezhouba Dam, allowing vessels up to 10,000 tonnes.

The expansion responds to cargo volumes that have far exceeded original forecasts – freight throughput at the Three Gorges section reached 173 million tonnes in 2025, double its design target. The project, part of China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030), aims to more than double the corridor’s annual throughput, lowering logistics costs and strengthening economic integration across the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which covers 11 provinces and accounts for over 40 % of the nation’s population and output.