Xiaoqing River Navigation Resumption Promotion Conference

On May 23, 2023, the Xiaoqing River Navigation Resumption Promotion Event was held in Jinan. The event was jointly organized by the Shandong Provincial Department of Transportation and the Shandong Maritime Safety Administration, hosted by Shandong Marine Group, to comprehensively showcase the progress of the Xiaoqing River navigation resumption project, explain relevant policies, and build communication bridges with stakeholders.

The Xiaoqing River has a long history of navigation. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1130–1137), it was excavated along the old course of the Ji River to serve salt transportation, becoming a vital shipping channel in the region. In 2020, to accelerate the development of a comprehensive transportation system, the Shandong Provincial Government officially launched the Xiaoqing River navigation resumption project. The project spans 169 kilometers with a total estimated investment of 13.6 billion yuan. After three years of construction, 99% of the investment has been completed. Key components such as the waterway, ship locks, and bridges are largely finished, with full navigation expected to commence by the end of June this year.

The inland section of the Xiaoqing River waterway now meets safety standards for 2,000-ton-class vessels. Upon resumption, three transportation modes will be available:

1.Direct river-sea transportation by sea-going vessels.

2.River-sea intermodal transportation combining inland and sea-going vessels.

3.Barge transportation via marine pushers and inland towing (or self-propelled) operations.
As a green transportation corridor running through Shandong’s central industrial belt, the Xiaoqing River’s resumption holds strategic significance for enhancing the integrated transportation system and boosting regional socio-economic development.

The promotion event invited representatives from municipal transportation bureaus, Shandong Marine Group, China Railway Investment Group Shandong Xiaoqing River Development Co., Ltd., over 60 domestic and international ports, shipping, logistics, and shipbuilding enterprises, as well as renowned research institutions and universities, totaling over 200 attendees. Our company, Qingdao Baoying Shipping Co., Ltd., was honored to participate in the event and engage in on-site signing ceremonies. As a shipping enterprise, our attendance deepened our understanding of the Xiaoqing River project and opened doors for future collaborations. We hope this event will bring further development opportunities and contribute actively to the success of the Xiaoqing River navigation resumption.