BEIJING - China has officially commenced construction on a major new waterway project at the Three Gorges Dam, marking the first major infrastructure initiative to break ground during the country's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The 77.2 billion yuan (approximately 11.3 billion U.S. dollars) project is designed to significantly boost shipping capacity along the Yangtze River, the world's third-longest river.
The construction was kicked off on Monday by Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at a commencement ceremony in Yichang, located in central China's Hubei Province. The ambitious project will add a five-tier, dual-track ship lock north of the existing lock at the Three Gorges Dam, which remains the world's largest water conservancy project. Additionally, the plan includes the upgrade of navigation facilities at a smaller downstream dam to ensure seamless transit.
Once completed, the new infrastructure will almost double the annual throughput capacity at the Three Gorges to 336 million tonnes. This expansion comes in direct response to the rapidly rising shipping demand along the Yangtze River, which serves as a crucial economic artery connecting China's inland regions with its coastal ports.
The Three Gorges waterway has long been a bottleneck for freight traffic, with vessels frequently experiencing delays during peak shipping seasons. By adding a dual-track lock system, the project aims to alleviate congestion, reduce logistical costs, and improve the overall efficiency of inland waterway transport.
This development aligns with Beijing's broader strategy to advance toward its goal of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035. The 15th Five-Year Plan places a strong emphasis on upgrading critical transport infrastructure to support domestic economic circulation and regional integration.
Beyond its economic impact, the project underscores China's continued commitment to leveraging its extensive river networks for sustainable freight transport, which generally carries a lower carbon footprint compared to road or rail alternatives.
For logistics companies and regional manufacturers, the expanded capacity promises more reliable supply chains and reduced transit times, potentially stimulating further industrial development along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
As construction progresses, the project will serve as a key indicator of China's ability to execute large-scale, complex engineering feats while balancing economic growth with long-term infrastructural resilience.
Source: The State Council of the People's Republic of China
