# Pinglu Canal officially opens for navigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pinglu-canal-development-and-operation > Updated: 2026-09-16T01:13:59.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 5. The Pinglu Canal officially commenced operations on September 16, 2026, establishing a direct maritime link between Southwest China and the South China Sea. The 134.2-kilometer waterway connects Nanning’s Hengzhou City to the Beibu Gulf Port in Qinzhou, featuring a total water level difference of 65 meters. Built to Class I inland waterway standards, the canal accommodates vessels up to 5,000 tons. It is designed to optimize logistics by allowing ships to bypass the Pearl River Delta, which is expected to reduce inland navigation distances by more than 560 kilometers and potentially save over 5 billion yuan in annual transportation costs. Local authorities estimate this will reduce logistics costs by 18% to 30%. The project, costing approximately 72.7 billion yuan ($10.7 billion), serves as a backbone for the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to strengthen economic ties between China and Southeast Asia by leveraging RCEP policy benefits. On its opening day, approximately 30 cargo ships carrying containers, coal, minerals, steel, and fertilizers completed inaugural voyages. The launch also introduced new shipping routes, including the Nanning-Yangpu (Hainan) domestic trade route and the Nanning-Can Tho (Vietnam) foreign trade route. Engineering milestones of the project include the Madao Hub, which contains the world’s largest inland ship lock by area and the world’s highest inland ship lock drop of 29.6 meters. The canal utilizes three major lock systems—Madao, Qishi, and Qingnian—to manage its elevation changes and serves as a key component of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to strengthen links with ASEAN nations. ## Claims - The 134.2-kilometer canal is located entirely within China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The canal reduces transport distances from the interior by more than 560 kilometers. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Annual transportation costs are estimated to decrease by more than 5 billion yuan (approximately $700 million). (corroborated by 5 sources) - The canal can accommodate cargo ships weighing up to 5,000 deadweight tons. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The project cost 72.7 billion yuan. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The canal overcomes a total elevation difference of 65 meters. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 30 cargo vessels transited the canal on its opening day. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Pinglu Canal is the first river-to-sea canal built under unified central coordination since 1949. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The infrastructure includes three lock systems: Madao, Qishi, and Qingnian. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: Pinglu Canal opens to connect southwest China with Southeast Asian markets China has opened the 134.2-km Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, creating a direct maritime route from its southwest to Southeast Asia and cutting shipping distances by over 560 km. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pinglu-canal-officially-opens-to-connect-southwest-china-to-the-south-china-sea ### 2026-09-14: Pinglu Canal set to open for navigation in Guangxi The 134.2km Pinglu Canal in Guangxi is set to open on September 16, connecting inland rivers to the sea to reduce shipping distances by 560km and save an estimated 5 billion yuan annually. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pinglu-canal-set-to-open-for-navigation-in-guangxi ### 2026-09-07: Pinglu Canal to begin operations in mid-September China's 134.2-km Pinglu Canal will begin operations on September 16, linking the Xijiang River to the Beibu Gulf to boost trade with ASEAN and reduce logistics costs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pinglu-canal-to-begin-operations-in-mid-september ### 2026-08-31: China enhances supply chains with new Pinglu Canal project China is upgrading its supply chains through digital automation and the new Pinglu Canal, which will reduce transport distances by 560 km and cut freight costs by up to 30%. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-enhances-supply-chains-with-new-pinglu-canal-project ### 2026-08-12: Pinglu Canal begins navigation testing in China China has begun navigation testing on the 134.2-km Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, aiming for a September opening to improve logistics between western China and Southeast Asia. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pinglu-canal-begins-navigation-testing-in-china --- Cite as: Pinglu Canal officially opens for navigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pinglu-canal-development-and-operation