Authorised by the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, the Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration officially announced the introduction of the new "Pinglu Canal Route" endorsement on the 22nd, simultaneously launching instructor training and crew endorsement procedures. This marks the commencement of the implementation of crew qualification assurance work for navigation on the canal.

The "Pinglu Canal Route" spans a total distance of approximately 134.2 kilometres, running from the Pingtang River estuary in Hengzhou City, Nanning, to Qinzhou Port. It encompasses complex scenarios including continuous bends, narrow waterways, bridge-area waters, and river-sea interface zones, presenting elevated navigational risks.

Under the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Seafarers, a seafarer's certificate of competency must clearly specify the navigation zone or route, and operations beyond the endorsed scope are not permitted. From this date onward, the maritime authorities will simultaneously open applications for crew examinations and endorsements.

The Pinglu Canal is a backbone project of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor. It is the first grand canal connecting rivers to the sea built since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is scheduled to open fully to navigation this September.