Ports

China's Pinglu Canal Proves Operational Viability in Vessel Test

Beibu Gulf Port Group conducted successful test operations on the Pinglu Canal ahead of its official opening, demonstrating the waterway's commercial readiness. Two LNG dual-fueled container and bulk vessels, Bei Gang Yun He 001 and Bei Gang Yun He 002, transported containers from Guigang in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Qinzhou port through the canal. The journey required just two hours compared to the previous two-day detour around the Pearl River Delta. The $11 billion Pinglu Canal project connects Nanning in Guangxi Zhuang to Beibu Gulf, which lies between China and Vietnam. Four demonstration vessels were commissioned specifically for the project at Guangxi Xijiang Heavy Industry. The canal is designed to strengthen trade flows between China and Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia positioned to receive increased container traffic from Chinese origins.