NANNING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Pinglu Canal started vessel trials on Wednesday, marking a key step toward the planned opening of this major Chinese waterway in September.
The trials began when an unloaded 5,000-tonne vessel departed from the Xinfu service area along the canal in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Four vessels representing the main types expected to use this canal will take part in the trials, namely loaded and unloaded 5,000-tonne ships as well as loaded 3,000-tonne and 1,000-tonne vessels.
The tests will assess navigation under both normal and adverse conditions and examine whether the canal's waterways, locks, anchorages, service areas and navigation facilities are ready for operation.
The vessels will travel through major sections of the canal and carry out tests including passing through locks, meeting and overtaking other vessels, making turns, docking under tidal conditions and navigating at night. (....)