China has launched construction of the world's largest ship lock on the Yangtze River. The massive project aims to boost cargo transportation capacity.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the project costs 77.2 billion yuan (about $11.3 billion). The new lock will be built on the northern side of the Three Gorges Dam.
The project includes a five-level, two-line ship lock. In addition, navigation facilities at a smaller dam downstream will be modernized.
Once completed, the Three Gorges system's annual cargo capacity will nearly double to 336 million tons.
