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On 1st January 1 2010, after two years of trial operation, Shenzhen Tonggu Channel was put into official operation after passing completion acceptance of Ministry of Transport on 29th December. The official opening of Tonggu Channel improved the navigability of Western Shenzhen Port by enabling ultra-large container ships pass through, thus enhanced the overall competitiveness of CCT and SCT.
Tonggu channel provided a favorable option to container ships. Large ships would go through the Channel and reach western Shenzhen terminals directly, avoid the height restrictions of Tsing Ma Bridge and congestion of Ma Wan channel, thus save cost for shippers. The opening of Tonggu channel is of great significance to improve western terminals navigation capabilities and laid a good foundation to long-term development.
Tonggu Channel is the major construction project of Shenzhen city. With a 10-ton standard container ship one-way non-tidal navigable design, the Channel originates from Shenzhen Bay estuary and terminates at Southwest Lantau, north to Urmston Road and south to Dahao waterway, connecting western Shenzhen ports to several major waterways of pearl river estuary with a length of 22.57 kilometers, effective width of 210 meters and designed bottom elevation of -15.8 m (base surface at Lowest Normal Low Water),.
Tonggu Channel project was started on 29th December, 2004 and put into trail operation on 12th December, 2007. During the trial run, a number of 3000-14000 TEU container ships successful go through the Channel; twenties of 100,000-ton ultra-large container ships pass through Tonggu Channel and arrived at western Shenzhen terminals. In 2009, the 14028 TEU container ship – ‘MV MSC DANIT ‘ also successfully run through Tonggu Channel. During the two years of seaworthiness inspection, Tonggu Channel navigation indicators met the design requirements and trial run smoothly.
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