HE Jianzhong, spokesman of China Ministry of Transportation, divulged that CNY200 billion (US$30.6 billion) will be spent on China-wide river transport projects from 2011 to 2015, twice that invested between 2006 and 2010.

    Investment from the government will account for CNY45 billion, 170 per cent more than in the earlier five-year period, Xinhua reports.

    Mr He said, China plans to increase the length of river navigation channels by 3,000 kilometres and river port throughput capacity by 1.3 billion tonnes. By 2015, average tonnage of ships sailing on river will grow from 450 tonnes to 800 tonnes, while transportation cost will be reduced by 10 per cent compared to 2010.

    The spokesman said government is also to tighten control on approval for new projects to avoid port function overlap.

    China aims for river cargo movement of over three billion tonnes and a navigable waters of 19,000 kilometres by 2020.

(Source:http://www.schednet.com)