Pinglu Canal begins navigation testing in China

Navigation testing has commenced on the Pinglu Canal in China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, a major step toward its scheduled opening in September. The 134.2-kilometer waterway is the first large-scale river-sea canal project planned and coordinated at a national level in China since 1949.

The testing phase involves four representative vessels, ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 tons, to evaluate operational readiness under both normal and adverse conditions. Tests include lock passages, overtaking maneuvers, nighttime navigation, and docking during tides. To ensure safety and precision, vessels are equipped with BeiDou positioning systems, drones, and various sensors to monitor currents and safety distances.

Designed to accommodate ships up to 5,000 tons, the canal aims to reduce transport times and logistics costs while strengthening connections between China's western inland regions and Southeast Asia.