The “Go West” plan in China aims to boost development in the western and central regions, focusing on the four provinces and Chongqing municipality. The recent forum highlighted ongoing issues hampering shipping along key transport routes, such as frequent traffic jams near the Three Gorges Dam and impediments on important tributaries like the Wu, Jialing, and Min rivers. This has led to increased waiting times for cargo ships and disruptions in industrial production.
Experts emphasized the need to enhance shipping capacity on the Yangtze River, suggesting simplifying procedures for ships, prioritizing essential materials, and supporting inland shipping construction. Improving river transport efficiency is crucial for the region’s development, with the Yangtze River serving as a key economic driver.
The Yangtze River’s cargo throughput has been growing steadily, indicating the importance of optimizing its navigation capacity and connections to international trade routes. Efforts to address choke points like low bridges are ongoing to boost economic benefits and reduce energy use in shipping.