Pinglu Canal

The Pinglu Canal (Chinese: 平陆运河; pinyin: Pínglù yùnhé), is a 134.2-kilometer inland river I-class waterway under construction between Xijin reservoir on the Yu river in Hengzhou and the lower part of the Qin River, allowing access to the Beibu Gulf. The canal will shorten the route between inland Guangxi and the sea by up to 560 km (350 mi).^[1]

Pinglu Canal
Location	Guangxi
Country	China
Specifications
Length	134.2 km (83.4 miles)
Maximum boat beam	15.8 metres (52 ft)
Maximum boat draft	5 metres (16 ft)
Locks	3
Maximum height above sea level	65
History
Construction began	2023
Date completed	2026 (planned)
Geography
Start point	Xijin reservoir, Hengzhou, Guangxi
End point	Qinzhou (Gulf of Tonkin)

Construction

Serious planning began in 2019 with full speed construction commencing from June 2023. Operational completion is aimed for 2026. Three locks will be built, including what will be the world's largest water-conserving ship lock. This canal is the largest Chinese canal construction activity since consolidation of the Grand Canal during the Ming dynasty.^[2][3]

During construction a total of 339 million m³ of stone and dirt is expected to be removed, which will be used for land reclamation and elevating existing land, so that 835.7 ha of new land can be created.^[1]

Construction is planned to be completed in 2026 at a total cost of RMB 72.719 billion.^[4]

Specification

When not restricted by drought, the canal is designed for 5,000-ton ships of 90 meters length, 15.8 meters width and 5.0 meters draft. By comparison, Panamax ships are 65,000–80,000 tonnes when unrestricted, suggesting a transshipment role rather than direct international ocean connection. The three lock complexes that are planned at Madao, Qishi and Qingnian.^[4] The elevation difference between the Qin river mouth at sea level and the Xijin reservoir is 65 meters, of this, the Madao locks will overcome a 30 meters of elevation difference. To conserve water, the locks discharge in a local reservoir, saving 63% water over a conventional lock design.^[1]