Nicaragua Canal

[Sarcasticus]

This English language BBC article states that construction will begin in one month.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-30140244

We won't have long to wait to see.

[wryawry]

Last-ditch effort.

[John R Hampton]

Cost to use the Panama Canal (from the Shipping Law Blog):

Yachts and Other Small Vessels: USD 1,300 to USD 2,500
Loaded Containerships: USD 50,000 to USD 250,000
Cruise Ships: USD 80,000 to USD 300,000 

The most expensive toll fee ever paid was by the Disney Cruise Ship on 16 May 2008; of USD 331,200 for one West to East passage.

[Alan Nilsen]

I wonder how much it will go up for the Super Panmax when the new lane in the canal is completed.

[Lee Zeltzer]

They will start but will they ever finish once the realities and cost over runs begin.

[HollandAmerica]

I think you underestimate the Chinese drive and willpower. They have build cities out of thin air and filled them with over a million people. The largest dam in the world is also located in China.

Unfortunately this is going to happen and will displace many people and take advantage of many workers breaking their backs to get the job done.

[Alan Nilsen]

I agree.  One can not just look at this as an economic adventure.  China has a major presence in Africa.  This would give them a foothold in Central America, IMHO.

[John R Hampton]

- cost $50 billion
- 172 miles long
- 5 years to build
- operational by 2020
- longer, wider, deeper than the Panama Canal
- force 100,000  people from their homes
- Chinese company with no experience on such projects
- divided support of Nicaraguan people

This makes the French debacle here during 19th century look like a failed school science project. The completion of the Panama Canal was due to the persistent intervention of Teddy Roosevelt and financing by the US government. Hard to see that happen with the Wang-Ortega partnership's private money. Wait until the protests, violence and deaths begin - - - investors will turn tail. The Chinese like to gamble (witness Macau) but not when odds are this long.

Not going to happen.

[Jim Tosch]

They are keeping the details secret because it's harder to protest what you don't know. Once they start hiring tens of thousands and the economy is booming, the protests will be drowned out. The Panama Canal got easier because of the invention of the steam shovel. With today's technology its a piece of cake. Money doesn't matter, you sell bonds, go broke, default and then raise more money because it's half built and the new bonds have less risk. Will it be done on time ? No. Will it be good for Nicaragua? Absolutely. Will Ortega be a God? For sure. Do they need to know what their doing? Their glorified ditch diggers, how hard is that. If it makes it six months it's a done deal.

[Patrick]

The Chinese built the Great Wall, they will build this if they desire.

[HollandAmerica]

It's just sad that the obsession on owning more stuff means we destroy destroy what is so precious.

George Carlin talks about stuff: http://youtu.be/MvgN5gCuLac