China's Pinglu Canal has completed its first full-length navigation test, with plans for official opening in September.

Foreign Media: China Completes First Full-Route Test of the Southeast Asia Connecting Canal, Aiming for September Navigation.

The China-funded Pinglu Canal project, costing approximately 72.7 billion RMB (10.8 billion USD), has completed its first full-route navigation test, marking the final preparations for the planned September opening.

From August 8 to 9, the Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration dispatched a patrol vessel measuring 46.1 meters in length, departing from the Beibu Gulf and traveling northward along the 134.2-kilometer canal route all the way to the Pingtang River, successfully completing the end-to-end trial voyage.

This test examined critical navigational conditions such as channel width, sharp bends, bridge clearance, and river confluences, while also collecting navigation data. The canal will be capable of accommodating vessels up to 5,000 tons, and upon completion, it will provide a swift passage from South China and Southwest China to Southeast Asia and global maritime routes, significantly reducing regional trade costs.

Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1873509416911884/

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