Anhui province has initiated trial operations for the Yangtze-Huaihe Grand Canal, ushering in a new era of efficient shipping along the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers. The canal, a substantial endeavor by provincial authorities, is anticipated to significantly enhance shipping operations on these two vital waterways.
Seasoned mariner Li Shuqing steered his cargo vessel into Hefei’s wharf on Wednesday, embarking on the maiden voyage through the recently inaugurated canal. Laden with 1,000 metric tons of wheat from Huaian in neighboring Jiangsu province, Li remarked, “With this section starting trial operations, it will be much more convenient for my business in the future.”
This milestone project amalgamates China’s elongated Yangtze River, flowing for 400 kilometers through southern Anhui, with the northern Huaihe River. Adding an extra 355 km of navigational routes, the main construction was completed the previous year, positioning it as the second-longest canal after the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, according to local authorities.
The newly operational section interlinks Huaihe River with Chaohu Lake, the nation’s fifth-largest freshwater lake. Preceding the canal’s unveiling, Li had to navigate an intricate route involving multiple river courses. However, the new canal sliced off valuable time and fuel. Li remarked, “The new canal helped me save two days of shipping time and more than 400 liters of diesel.”
The Yangtze-Huaihe Grand Canal contributes to the ambitious Yangtze-to-Huaihe water diversion project, bridging the geographical gap between China’s north and south. Initiated in 2016, the project not only transports water from the Yangtze to the drier northern regions but also streamlines shipping and bolsters logistics efficiency.
Chen Xi, General Manager of the Anhui Provincial Group for Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion, noted, “This project reduces the water transportation distance between the Huaihe River and Yangtze River by 200 km to 600 km, making water transportation more convenient, economical and eco-friendly.”
With its 723 km span encompassing 12 cities in Anhui and two in Henan province, the project will benefit over 50 million individuals. The project’s estimated investment of nearly 91.3 billion yuan ($12.5 billion) is well underway, with an impressive 83.6 billion yuan worth of projects already completed by July’s end.
Beyond shipping and logistics, the project will play a pivotal role in agricultural irrigation and ecological enhancements for both Huaihe River and Chaohu Lake. Chen projected the project would save over 6 billion yuan annually in bulk cargo freight and curtail carbon emissions by almost 1.8 million tons per year.
Engineers from China Railway No 10 Engineering Group, integral to the construction process, expressed their excitement for overcoming numerous technical challenges. The project, which traces its roots back to ambitious endeavors from ancient times, is finally realizing its potential to revolutionize transportation and commerce in the Yangtze River Delta region.
