Satellite and ground imagery recently shared on social media have revealed a new system of Chinese amphibious bridging barges, likely designed to support large-scale amphibious operations targeting Taiwan. Naval News provides an analysis of these developments, detailing their design and potential applications.
Naval News initially reported on these distinct barges in early January, and further insights were provided by naval analyst and former U.S. Navy submariner Tom Shugarth. The builder of these barges is CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering Company (COMEC), also known as Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). COMEC, a key supplier for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), has produced naval vessels such as replenishment oilers, hospital ships, and submarine support vessels. More recently, it has expanded into developing innovative platforms for drones and helicopters.
COMEC appears to have developed four distinct amphibious bridging barge designs. Three of these designs are relevant for operational use by PLAN, while the fourth may be a prototype. All three operational designs are categorized as “jack-up barges,” which are marine platforms using extendable legs to stand on the seabed, ensuring stability for high-load transfers. Jack-up rigs are commonly used in the offshore industry for resource extraction but have now been adapted for military applications.
Unlike traditional jack-up rigs, which require specialized transport, the Chinese designs appear to be self-propelled, allowing them to transit significant distances independently. This capability enhances their strategic utility in a potential invasion of Taiwan.
Imagery from March 14 showed three of these Chinese amphibious bridging units on a beach at Nansan Island, off Zhanjiang, more than 200 nautical miles east of their production site in Guangzhou. The barges arrived around February 27 and remained until March 22. Testing included at least two civilian roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) ferries docking with the platforms. By March 23, all units had departed the area, according to radar imagery.
Nansan Island hosts a PLAN amphibious facility, including Zubr-class and Type 726 air-cushioned landing craft. The presence of the new barges at this site suggests their role in PLAN amphibious operations, specifically in providing stable platforms for vehicle and equipment transfer from large sealift vessels to shore.
The new amphibious bridging system consists of three operational variants, each with distinct structural and functional differences:
- Type 2 (Shuiqiao 110): The smallest of the three, this design is 110 meters long, 38 meters wide, and equipped with a 140-meter extendable ramp. Featuring four legs for stability, it lacks extended berthing platforms, indicating it is meant for direct beach access rather than ferry docking.
- Type 1 (Shuiqiao 135): This mid-sized design is 135 meters long, 35 meters wide, with the same 140-meter ramp. It includes two side platforms for Ro/Ro ferries, six legs for added stability, and a propulsion system, suggesting its use in deeper waters.
- Type 3 (Shuiqiao 185): The largest, at 185 meters long and 36 meters wide, it includes stern and side extendable platforms for Ro/Ro ferries. With eight legs, it provides the terminal link in the bridging system, allowing larger ships to offload further from shore.
This modular system enables flexible configurations depending on the beachhead conditions. The Type 2 platform serves as a bridgehead in shallow waters, while the Type 1 and Type 3 units facilitate transfers from larger ships at greater depths. The combined system allows rapid deployment of vehicles, engineering units, and logistics support to reinforce initial assault waves.
Contrary to speculation, these platforms are not intended for first-wave amphibious landings. Instead, PLA doctrine suggests that an initial landing would be carried out by amphibious assault ships, landing platform docks (LPDs), and landing ship tanks (LSTs). These vessels can deploy amphibious assault vehicles, landing craft, and airborne forces to establish a beachhead. Only after securing the area would the bridging system be deployed to facilitate large-scale logistical transfers.
The system enables rapid reinforcement with main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, air defense systems, and logistics transport. Its ability to adjust to various coastal conditions complicates defensive strategies, as Taiwan would need to secure a wider area of coastline against potential landings.
Some analysts have suggested that the new barges could be used for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. However, Naval News assesses that their principal role is military. The high mobility, capacity, and modular nature of these platforms are tailored for large-scale amphibious operations rather than civilian applications. PLAN’s existing amphibious and logistics assets are more suited for disaster relief missions.
Observers have compared the Chinese amphibious bridging system to the Mulberry harbors used during the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II. While historical amphibious operations provide a reference, China’s approach differs significantly. The new system incorporates modern offshore engineering practices, increasing mobility and resilience against adverse weather. Unlike the static Mulberry harbors, these platforms offer flexibility in deployment, allowing dynamic logistical operations.
China has experimented with simpler amphibious bridging concepts in the past, including civilian jack-up rigs used as temporary docking points. The new designs represent an evolution, addressing previous limitations in setup time and weather susceptibility. The improved system allows more efficient unloading, increasing the speed and scale of potential military operations.
China’s new amphibious bridging system demonstrates a significant advancement in its capability to conduct large-scale amphibious operations. The ability to rapidly deploy and sustain forces across a contested shoreline is critical for a Taiwan contingency. While these platforms will not replace traditional amphibious landing forces, they provide a crucial logistical backbone for sustaining an invasion force.
The PLA’s focus on overcoming logistical challenges in a Taiwan conflict scenario. The bridging system enhances China’s ability to conduct an extended campaign by ensuring sustained reinforcement and resupply, reinforcing its strategic advantage in a potential cross-strait operation. As further testing and deployment occur, the implications for regional security will become even clearer.
