Pinglu Canal Set to Open in September, Boosting Hainan-ASEAN Trade
The Pinglu Canal is scheduled to open for navigation on September 16, 2026. Experts and officials anticipate the project will significantly enhance economic cooperation between the Hainan Free Trade Port and ASEAN countries by linking Southwest China's hinterland with Yangpu Port.
The Pinglu Canal, a key component of China’s Western Land-Sea New Corridor, is scheduled to be completed and open for navigation on September 16, 2026. This development is expected to add new momentum to economic and trade exchanges between the Hainan Free Trade Port and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
Pei Guangyi, a professor at Hainan Normal University, stated that the canal reshapes the logistics pattern of the Western Land-Sea New Corridor. He noted that it creates a combined effect of "physical channels" and "policy dividends" for Hainan. The infrastructure facilitates direct logistics connections between Southwest China’s hinterland and Yangpu Port, enabling efficient export of goods to ASEAN and the import of ASEAN goods into inland regions.
Under this new logistical framework, goods from Southwest China can be transshipped via the Pinglu Canal to Yangpu Port for export to ASEAN. This route allows enterprises to utilize departure port tax rebate policies, thereby accelerating capital recovery. Conversely, ASEAN goods processed in Yangpu Bonded areas can be transported back to Southwest inland regions via the canal, which helps reduce distribution logistics costs.
Current data indicates strong linkage between Yangpu Port and Beibu Gulf Port. In 2025, more than ten container routes were opened between the two ports, exchanging 353,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). In April 2026, Hainan and Guangxi signed an agreement to build a logistics corridor connecting Yangpu Port, Beibu Gulf Port, and the Pinglu Canal.
Stakeholders expect increased freight volumes and bonded fuel supply activities following the canal's opening. Li Guanjie, Deputy General Manager of Sinopec Zhonghai Ship Fuel Supply Co., Ltd.'s Bonded Business Department, noted that freight volume between the Beibu Gulf region and ASEAN ports is expected to increase significantly after the canal opens.
Zhao Bo, Assistant General Manager of Yangpu Tianyou Asphalt Development Co., Ltd., stated that the canal allows for better collection and distribution functions. This facilitates the import of asphalt from Southeast Asia and the Middle East for bonded storage and subsequent distribution to Southwest China.
Zhang Huawei, Executive Vice Mayor of Danzhou City, mentioned that Yangpu will innovate "Free Trade Port Transit" systems and deepen reforms related to the "China Yangpu Port" ship registry to support these new trade patterns.