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 ...
He immediately got a job upgrading the Panama Canal systems. He tried to get a few of us to go with him. My wife wanted no part of that.
Lake Gatun is at the high points. Fed by rain Forrest rains. It’s fresh water and water is allowed to fall into the locks by gravity
I do not know Morales. Panama has plenty of competent engineers, if they are allowed to do their job.
The Panama Canal administration, under the United States, was run pretty competently and was pretty much a meritocracy.
Many predicted it would become corrupt under the administration of Panama.
One of the people who used to work for me in Panama, applied for a job with the Canal after it was turned over to the Panamanians.
He said he got the job, but only after he promised to give half his pay to the person who hired him.
Months after he was hired, he stopped paying.
Guess what? He was shortly out of a job.
I assume there is a much higher level of corruption in the administration of the Panama Canal than there used to be.
It uses a lake or three for navigation between the two oceans and the ships must be raised and lowered to the different levels. But it’s not global warming.
Why did it experience a worse drought 100 years ago?
If I remember correctly, there are two lakes. 1.Gatun 2. Marianas(?)
Gatun is on the Atlantic side, I think and Marianas is on the Pacific side.
I might have them backwards.
Since the canal is fed from the two oceans it links together, how can it dry up? I am puzzled.
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The “ lifting water” from a huge local lake supplies water to do the lifting of ships as they transit, something like that.
Funny
Quick answer, it isn't.
Both ends are lower than the middle. So water flows out, not in.
In any event, the question is whether the ChiComs are doing this intentionally.
???
Oh yes! The oceans are going to rise 30 feet and engulf New York city and Long Island. But not at the Panama canal where there isn’t enough water to float the boats.
A lot of people here are displaying the failure of our public education system. I assume all of them have graduated at least high school and are ignorant on how the Panama Canal operates. Something that used to be taught in grade school.
“Since the canal is fed from the two oceans it links together, how can it dry up? I am puzzled.”
the canal itself doesn’t dry up ... what dries up are the high-mountain reservoirs used to feed water to the series of canal locks that float the boats up and down over the mountains that cut through the middle of the panama ithimus ...
Ships crossing the Isthmus of Panama are raised high above sea level by a series of locks, and then lowered back. Rainwater refreshes Gatun Lake. In fact, a good part of the passage is through the lake itself. It would be possible to dig a sea level canal through Nicaragua, but it would be considerably longer.
“Since the canal is fed from the two oceans it links together, how can it dry up? I am puzzled.”
the canal itself doesn’t dry up ... what dries up are the high-mountain reservoirs used to feed water to the series of canal locks that float the boats up and down over the mountains that cut through the middle of the panama ithimus ...
I’m claiming the new phrase for these people: climate toddlers
They think like a 3 year old...they lie,...they run totally on emotion and feelings and what they see on a screen somewhere
Climate Change for a thousand Alex.
What is Global Climate Chnge? Alex.
Happens all the time.
Reading these articles reminds me just how stupid and biased journalists are. Sensationalism is the name of the game. Get readers, get clicks, sell advertisement. They aren't journalists, they are salesmen, no more than side show barkers.
Unfortunately, CHINA owns both sides of the canal.
Chinese Investment Near Panama Canal, Strait of Magellan Major Concern for U.S. Southern Command
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