Recently, the Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province and the Department of Transport of Anhui Province jointly issued the "Notice on Implementing Free Lockage for New Energy Vessels on the Jianghuai Canal."
The document stipulates that from August 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, new energy vessels navigating the Jianghuai Canal (including the Jianghuai Connection Section, Caizi Lake Line, Zhaoxi River Line, and Heyu Line) will be exempt from lockage fees.
In accordance with national policies, eligible vessels must meet the following energy type and substitution rate requirements:
1. Single-fuel-powered vessels: liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, hydrogen fuel, ammonia fuel power; pure battery power (excluding lead-acid batteries).
2. Dual-fuel-powered vessels: LNG and oil dual-fuel with an oil substitution rate ≥60%; methanol and oil dual-fuel with an oil substitution rate ≥50%.
Eligible vessels, regardless of being empty or loaded, will enjoy the free policy.
The policy is as follows:
Notice of the Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province and the Department of Transport of Anhui Province on Implementing Free Lockage for New Energy Vessels on the Jianghuai Canal
Wan Development and Reform Price Fee Letter [2025] No. 230
To: Municipal Development and Reform Commissions, Transport Bureaus, Provincial Port and Shipping Group, and Provincial Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Group:
To promote the development of green waterway transport, build a high-quality Jianghuai trunk waterway, and further reduce logistics costs for enterprises, the following matters regarding the exemption of lockage fees for new energy vessels on the Jianghuai Canal are hereby notified:
1. From August 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, new energy vessels navigating the Jianghuai Canal (including the Jianghuai Connection Section, Caizi Lake Line, Zhaoxi River Line, and Heyu Line) will be exempt from lockage fees.
2. In accordance with national policies, eligible vessels must meet the following energy type and substitution rate requirements:
1. Single-fuel-powered vessels: liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, hydrogen fuel, ammonia fuel power; pure battery power (excluding lead-acid batteries).
2. Dual-fuel-powered vessels: LNG and oil dual-fuel with an oil substitution rate ≥60%; methanol and oil dual-fuel with an oil substitution rate ≥50%.
Eligible vessels, regardless of being empty or loaded, will enjoy the free policy.
3. Local authorities and lock operation units shall accelerate the construction of supporting service facilities for new energy vessels, enhance intelligent lock operation management, prioritize lockage for new energy vessels, and establish extended service scenarios such as vessel replenishment, emergency rescue, and living services to further improve lock operation service quality.
4. After the issuance of this notice, the provisions of the previous "Notice of the Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province, the Department of Transport of Anhui Province, and the Department of Water Resources of Anhui Province on Lockage Fees for Container Vessels on the Jianghuai Canal" (Wan Development and Reform Price Fee Letter [2024] No. 444) regarding vessels using clean energy power shall be implemented in accordance with this document, while other preferential lockage policies for container-carrying vessels remain effective.
Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province, Department of Transport of Anhui Province
July 11, 2025
Source: Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province
