China Launches $11.4 Billion Yangtze River Mega-Waterway at Three Gorges Dam

China has begun constructing a major new waterway project at the Three Gorges Dam. The scheme, launched on Monday, aims to expand navigation capacity along the Yangtze River. With an investment of around 77.2 billion yuan ($11.4 billion), it marks one of the largest infrastructure developments in the region.

The project will introduce the world’s largest inland ship lock. It is designed to handle vessels of up to 10,000 tons, significantly boosting freight movement. The new waterway project includes two key components: a fresh navigation passage at the Three Gorges Dam and an upgrade to the Gezhouba Dam’s shipping capacity. Despite the scale of work, existing ship locks at the Three Gorges site will continue operating without disruption.

By 2025, cargo traffic through the Three Gorges section had already hit 173 million tons—surpassing its original design limits. Once completed, the expanded system will raise the Three Gorges Dam’s annual throughput to 336 million tons. The Gezhouba Dam, meanwhile, will see its capacity climb to 360 million tons per year.

Officials state the project will strengthen the Yangtze River’s role as a vital transport corridor. It is expected to support broader economic growth along the waterway by improving efficiency and reducing bottlenecks. The completed project will transform shipping on the Yangtze River. Larger vessels and increased throughput will ease congestion and lower transport costs. The upgrades are set to play a key role in the region’s long-term infrastructure strategy.