Yangtze aims higher – and deeper

A port survey has shown that the total investment earmarked for expansion and renovation projects along the 2,838km navigable length of the Yangtze river now comes to around $4bn.

The survey – the first of its kind - was completed by Yangtze River Administration under the Ministry of Transport. These projects, under construction, planned and likely to be approved, have given a fair amount of detail to the aims of the region.  
Out of the 73 ports that responded to the survey, 46 submitted particulars of their projects, including the size, current status and purchasing list of required handling equipment and technology. Shopping list items include handling equipment for bulk, breakbulk, containers, ro-ro and oversize cargo, as well as operations management software, vessel-to-shore communications systems and other technology.  

All Yangtze ports have been encouraged to upgrade their handling equipment and technology as part of a central government-driven programme to modernise the Yangtze by 2020. Tax breaks are being made available and the region is one of the major beneficiaries of the government’s large 2008 stimulus package.  

At the same time, Hubei members of the National Congress are submitting a motion calling for the central government to raise the guaranteed water level between Yichang and Chenglingji in a bid to facilitate better utilisation of the river.  

At the moment, the guaranteed water level in this section comes to a pinchpoint of only 3 metres compared with 4.5 metres upstream of this section and the 4.5 metres likely to be achieved downstream by the end of 2010.  

One-third of the navigable length of the river runs through Hubei province. Industries situated along the river contribute two-thirds of the province’s GDP, according to the motion.

(Source: Sea Trade Asia)