China has deployed a new set of Shuiqiao-class auxiliary ships to Nansan Island in the South China Sea.

According to new imagery and tracking data from SynMax’s maritime awareness platform, Theia, China moved three newly built Shuiqiao-class Landing Platform Utility barges, also referred to as invasion barges, through the Pearl River Estuary into the South China Sea between January 11 and 15.

SynMax’s maritime domain awareness platform, Theia, continues to monitor China’s growing fleet of #Shuiqiao Class Landing Platform Utilities (LPUs), self-propelled jack-up barges capable of deploying extendable roadways to create artificial docks.

On the 11th of January 2026,… pic.twitter.com/8HRJJIeTsf

— SynMax Maritime (@SynMaxInt) January 12, 2026

On January 15th, the second set of Shuiqiao class Landing Platform Utility (LPU) barges appeared on a beach on Nansan Island, located approximately 16.43 miles (26.44 kilometers) southeast of Zhanjiang. pic.twitter.com/ehTsR59t8o

— Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) (@SinoTalk) January 15, 2026

The first set of these barges was completed around the end of 2024, with initial footage surfacing in 2025. 

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

According to Theia, the second batch includes three self-propelled jack-up barges, an eight-leg 185-meter variant, a six-leg 128-meter variant, and a four-leg 108-meter variant. “Each barge is equipped to deploy an extendable roadway, enabling the rapid rollout of logistics infrastructure,” SynMax notes.

Militarnyi reported that the construction of these platforms indicates China may be preparing for a potential landing operation against Taiwan. 

Army Recognition earlier said that China’s invasion barges could operate alongside other amphibious assault vessels, allowing Chinese forces to sustain a continuous supply chain during an invasion. “In theory, this capability would allow China to rapidly increase its combat power on Taiwanese soil, delivering everything from fuel to tanks without requiring an intact port, which could be out of reach or heavily defended.”