Pinglu Canal Opens a New Logistics Route Between China and Southeast Asia

Nanning, 16 September 2026 – China’s Pinglu Canal has opened to navigation, creating a new river-to-sea connection between Guangxi and the Beibu Gulf and strengthening the logistics link between southwestern China and Southeast Asia. The opening moves a major infrastructure project into its commercial phase, where cargo volumes, service reliability and operating costs will determine its value to shippers and investors.

The 134.2-kilometre waterway runs from the Nanning area to the Beibu Gulf and was built at a reported cost of 72.7 billion yuan. It provides a maritime outlet that can shorten the traditional route through the eastern river system and Guangdong ports by approximately 560 kilometres. The project is designed to accommodate vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes.