China’s Pinglu Canal likely to benefit Singapore, other South-east Asia ports in the long term

[SINGAPORE] The opening of the Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, China, is likely to bring benefits to Asean in the long term, although currently the impact is “minimal” on South-east Asia ports including Singapore, observers say.

Associate Professor Loh Hui Shan of the Singapore University of Social Sciences believes that the Republic could benefit from additional trade, feeder traffic and maritime services.

That said, the academic – who has a PhD in maritime studies – pointed out that some transhipment flows could also be redirected from Singapore if shipping lines introduce more direct services to regional destinations from Guangxi’s Beibu Gulf ports.