The second-tier ship lock in Xijin Reservoir Hub, which is a part of the Xijiang shipping trunk line, begins operation. [Photo by Long Qibai for en.gxzf.gov.cn]

The second-tier ship lock of the Xijin Reservoir Hub on the Xijiang shipping trunk line opened on Dec 15. This is significant as now the trunk line can operate at full capacity.

Ships weighing up to 3,000 metric tons will be able to sail on the Xijiang River all year round to Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The construction of Xijin Reservoir Hub's second-tier ship lock has been recognized as a bridgehead project in the construction of the Pinglu Canal. It is also an important marker in regards to building the logistics passage of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

The Xijiang shipping trunk line has gone through rapid development in recent years. The second-tier ship lock was built because the first-tier ship lock along the river could only allow ships weighing 1,000 tons to pass, which did not meet up with surging shipping demands.

The new ship lock is located on the right side of the original first-tier ship lock, and was built at a cost of 3.3 billion yuan ($473.3 million).

Zhang Chongshun, a captain who used to operate logistics routes on Xijiang River, said that the new ship lock will let ships with larger tonnage to pass and save more time for cargo transportation.