Posted on 08/20/2023 11:08:43 AM PDT by Vendome
In what is being called the “world’s worst traffic jam,” some 200 cargo ships are waiting to pass at the Panama Canal as, thanks to global climate change, the area experiences its worst drought in 100 years. As Futurism reports, the huge backlog has been growing for some time and might not get any better for a few weeks yet. The human-made passageway is famous not only as one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering but as one of the most important trade routes on Earth.
"..the flow of ships at the Panama Canal started at about 1,000 vessels when it opened in 1914, that traffic has steadily increased. In the 2022 fiscal year, the passageway was crossed by over 14,200 ships, accounting for some 40% of U.S. container traffic and annually representing $270 billion in cargo. "
This might not seem like a lot, but the slowed passage has left an increasing number of ships waiting to cross the Panama Canal, now crossing the 200 mark and the wait for passage averaging 20 days. Due to the worsening drought, said canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales at a recent press conference, the restrictions could remain in effect through the rest of 2023, resulting in a loss of revenue estimated at $200 million.
“If we don’t adapt,” Morales says, “we are going to die.” It’ true for the Panama Canal, and for the planet as well.
....Oh well...
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Thanks.
Too deep, unlike the canal.
It is who maintains the canal. Remember that China controls both ends of the canal. Maybe this is a “dry run” for some future event.
Madden dam is the secret to the Panama canal. Look it up. As the volume of traffic has increased the flow of water from the Chagres River used by the canal to supply the locks has increassd. The under lying problem with the system has been the Panama clkmate. From late November to early April there is a natural “dry season”... No rain. Madden lake is now drain ed too much. All this has been predicted.
“thanks to global climate change.” The big lie. Never supported with evidence.
How about thanks to more water flowing out of both sides of the canal ever in history. The new Panamax locks are a huge drain on the water capacity of the Gatun Lake and others. This is by design.
The Panama Canal is not at sea level. There are inland lakes well above sea level that are included in the passage. These lakes feed a series of locks that raise and lower ships making the traverse to and from the lakes.
There is currently a drought that has affected the supply of water that fuels the locks.
The canal is not fed from the oceans. It’s fed from Gatun Lake, which is filled by rainwater. The canal operates 100% by gravity, with fresh water running downhill into the locks. No Gatun Lake, no Panama Canal.
Aside from a natural draught, if the lake was sabotaged to cause it to empty (many dikes, dams etc) the canal would be put out of action for years until the lake could be refilled by the rain.
When they built the canal, they built the manmade lake, so it could be filled by the time the canal was ready for ships.
So much for rising sea levels.
It's astonishing and disgusting.
I was ignorant of this. Thanks!
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