Core Viewpoint - The Xiangjiang Xiangqi Second Ship Lock will implement ship passage fees starting December, marking the first application of the new fee policy for ship locks in Hunan province [1] Group 1: Implementation of Fees - The first ship, "Xiang Chang Ni Bo 0011," paid the passage fee on December 2, 2023, entering the lock chamber [1] - All passing vessels, regardless of load, will be charged at a rate of 1 yuan per total ton per passage, based on the total tonnage certified by the Inland Waterway Vessel Safety and Environmental Protection Certificate [1] Group 2: Infrastructure Details - The Xiangqi Second Ship Lock, located in Qidong County, Hengyang City, is a key component of the Xiangjiang Yongzhou to Hengyang Class III Waterway Phase I project, designed for 1,000-ton vessels [1] - The lock chamber is 180 meters long, 23 meters wide at the entrance, and has a threshold water depth of 4 meters, allowing for the simultaneous passage of six 1,000-ton vessels [1] Group 3: Capacity and Financial Implications - The annual one-way passage capacity of the Xiangqi shipping hub will increase from 1.66 million tons to 10.65 million tons after the lock's completion, expected by November 1, 2024 [1] - The implementation of fees will provide essential funding for the daily operation of the lock and help expand financing channels for waterway infrastructure construction in Hunan province [1]