Key facts
- China is conducting trials of autonomous navigation and smart shipping solutions on the Pinglu Canal.
- The US$10 billion Pinglu Canal project aims to link China's southwestern regions to Southeast Asia.
- Intelligent, LNG-powered barges are being tested on the waterway in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
- The trials include automated mooring and real-time data transmission between vessels.
- The canal's main lock is designed to hold six ships simultaneously.
- A test run for the canal is planned for September.
China is undertaking trials of autonomous navigation and smart shipping technologies on its new Pinglu Canal, a significant infrastructure project costing approximately US$10 billion. The canal, located in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is designed to connect China's landlocked southwestern areas to Southeast Asia via the Gulf of Tonkin, aiming to boost trade and connectivity.