Watch: China’s “Invasion Barges” Seen In Action For The 1st Time

A newly released video circulating on social media reveals that China has deployed its newly developed jack-up barges in a military logistics exercise at Zhanjiang.

These barges, referred to by analysts as “invasion barges,” are designed to function as mobile piers for offloading military cargo and vehicles onto beaches.

The development of these barges is viewed as China’s preparation for a possible invasion of Taiwan, with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) increasingly relying on civilian maritime assets for military operations.

Satellite imagery from Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) on Longxue Island previously confirmed the construction of these barges, with at least three recently leaving the facility.

UPDATE: three of the PRC’s new landing ships (I called them T-LPTs) have left the GSI Longxue shipyard. 🚨🚨🚨 https://t.co/CpBIVr8svG

— Tom Shugart (@tshugart3) March 13, 2025

Damien Symon, an open-source analyst identified the latest drill location in Zhanjiang using background imagery and synthetic aperture radar.

Photos and videos show three of these barges jacked up and linked together to form a long floating pier extending far into the water. This system is a modern adaptation of World War II’s Mulberry harbours, which the Allied forces used in the D-Day landings.

The primary function of these barges is to support amphibious operations after an initial landing has secured a beachhead.

By creating a stable pier extending from the shoreline into deeper waters, the system enables the rapid unloading of military equipment, vehicles, and supplies from larger ships without the immediate need for a seaport.

Experts suggest that these barges could significantly enhance China’s ability to conduct an amphibious assault on Taiwan.

Tom Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), has been closely monitoring their movement. He noted that after leaving Longxue Island, the three newly built barges were not transmitting Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, a common tactic used to avoid tracking.

“What I saw was indications of tugs getting these ships underway, but no AIS from the ships themselves, unlike other commercial vessels,” he said on social media platform X.

BREAKING:

China unveiled its new huge ”invasion barges” during an amphibious landing exercise near Zhanjiang.

The barges will make it possible for China to move large amounts of military equipment to a shore without docking facilities.

Ships would dock with barges, unload… pic.twitter.com/2eAXTW4Zrp

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 13, 2025

Video Credits: Visegrád 24/X (Twitter)

The absence of AIS transmission has raised speculation that the vessels might already be under PLAN control. China has previously operated dual-purpose ferries in military exercises without AIS tracking.

According to a Pentagon report on Chinese military developments, the PLAN has not heavily invested in traditional landing ships and medium landing craft.

Instead, it appears to be bridging the gap using civilian vessels, including roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ferries, and temporary piers like the jack-up barges. The report states that China’s shipbuilding industry can quickly produce these logistics-support vessels as needed.

Unlike previous floating pier systems, such as the U.S. military’s Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS), China’s jack-up barges offer greater stability. Each barge in the latest exercise featured multiple jack-up legs: four on the unit closest to shore, six on the middle one, and eight on the farthest barge.

These barges remain functional in rougher sea conditions by lifting themselves above water, unlike floating piers, which are vulnerable to wave action.

Fleet Of Special Barges Suitable For Taiwan Landings
via WeChat Channels@观诲长郎 ​​​ https://t.co/BFjuxQjG5R pic.twitter.com/3evM4JhHFv

— 笑脸男人 (@lfx160219) March 13, 2025

U.S. forces recently demonstrated the challenges of temporary piers when their floating causeway used for humanitarian aid in Gaza was severely damaged by rough seas. On the other hand, China’s system appears more resilient and capable of handling heavier sea conditions, making it more reliable for military operations.

Shugart and other analysts believe that these platforms will allow China to bypass damaged ports and rapidly establish a secure logistics hub on an enemy shoreline.

While the primary concern remains Taiwan, these barges could also be used for military operations elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, as well as for humanitarian missions.

However, their large size and stationary nature make them vulnerable targets in a conflict, meaning they would be most effective after an initial landing force has secured the area.

References: TWZ, GB News

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