New shipping route connects Kaiyang Port to Yangtze River

Cargo ships prepare to depart Kaiyang Port before making their way to Chongqing on Nov 16. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Fourteen 500-metric-ton cargo ships that departed from Guiyang's Kaiyang Port on Nov 16 finally arrived in Chongqing's Wangbeituo Port on Dec 1, following a 15-day journey covering around 500 kilometers. The ships were carrying 6,800 tons of phosphate ore.

The journey to Chongqing took them through five cascade power stations in Goupitan, Silin, Shatuo, Pengshui and Yinpan.

To ensure a smooth voyage, Kaiyang established a special team led by the director of the maritime affairs department of Kaiyang transportation bureau to help tackle any issues encountered by the boats during their journey.

The arrival of the 14 ships on Dec 1 marked the successful opening of the Wujiang River route -- Guiyang's northern connection to the Yangtze River.

A ship carrying phosphate ore passes through a lock on the Wujiang River during its journey to Chongqing. [Photo/Kaiyang Release]

Water transportation can reduce costs by more than half and is more environmentally-friendly than sending goods by road.

The opening of the waterway is expected to play an essential role in boosting Kaiyang's opening-up and accelerating high-quality economic development.

Kaiyang Port is Guizhou's largest port along the Wujiang River, and central Guizhou's only port with access to the sea. It serves 30 districts and counties in seven cities and prefectures. The port, which links Guizhou to the Yangtze River, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Delta, is expected to boost regional economic growth with the opening of the new route.