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China Deploys New Landing ⁤Craft, Expanding South China Sea Capabilities

China has been⁣ actively expanding its amphibious and logistical ‍capabilities in the South China Sea, recently deploying three ⁣newly constructed Shuiqiao-class⁣ Landing Platform Utility (LPU)⁤ barges between January 11 and 15, 2026. These vessels, observed by SynMax’s theia platform, were moved from the Pearl River Estuary to⁤ Nansan⁢ Island for ⁢sea trials and training, signaling a continued focus on bolstering ‍its⁢ presence and operational readiness in the region.

Shuiqiao-Class ⁢Landing Platform Utility Barges: A Closer Look

The Shuiqiao class represents a significant⁤ progress in China’s⁢ maritime logistics infrastructure.⁢ These modular, multi-leg support platforms are designed to rapidly establish infrastructure and support amphibious ⁢operations in shallow water environments. They utilize jack-up mechanisms to elevate themselves above ‍the waterline, providing a stable platform for deploying roadways and facilitating the transfer⁣ of equipment and personnel. Naval News reported on the initial launch of these vessels in December 2024, highlighting their potential to create ad-hoc piers and staging areas.

Variants and Capabilities

The second batch of Shuiqiao-class barges consists of three distinct variants, demonstrating an evolving design approach:

• Eight-leg variant: 185 meters in ⁤length
• Six-leg variant: 128 meters in length
• Four-leg variant: 108⁢ meters in length

All variants are equipped with extendable roadways, enabling them to function⁤ as temporary docks or logistics hubs. the varying leg⁤ configurations suggest an intent to tailor the barges⁣ to different operational requirements and seabed conditions. The Maritime⁣ Executive notes that these barges significantly enhance China’s ability to project power and sustain operations in contested areas.

Recent Deployments and Activity

The deployment to Nansan Island, located approximately 16.43 miles (26.44 kilometers) southeast of Zhanjiang, follows⁤ a pattern of increased activity along China’s southern coast. SynMax’s Theia platform has ⁤tracked the development of the Shuiqiao program as December 2024, observing initial sea trials near the Wanshan Archipelago in ‍February 2025. SynMax utilizes ⁢a sensor fusion system‍ integrating ⁢electro-optical satellite imagery, synthetic aperture radar, and automatic identification⁢ system data to⁤ monitor maritime activity across a vast area.