Feeling the Squeeze - World

February 2007
Within five years, half the world's container fleets will be too big to fit through the Panama Canal. Can Panama afford the multi-billion dollar expansion costs? Who will benefit from expanding the Canal?

Captain Blackwood's ship barely fits through the Panama canal. "We have approximately 2 feet on either side", he states. As container fleets become larger, Blackwood's job is becoming harder. The Panama Canal is one of the most important shipping routes in the world: an unprecedented engineering achievement which cuts journey times by 5,000 km. But to remain competitive, the waterway needs to expand. "We don't have capacity to handle all the ships that are coming our way", laments Alberto Aleman, CEO, Panama Canal Authority. Ships often have to queue for days. The locks were designed in another era for much smaller ships. Panama recently approved a $6bn expansion project but many question who will benefit from it. "This a country where the institutions work for the minorities", complains Prof Bernal. He believes the project will run over budget, won't supply the jobs promised and won't help Panama's needy. According to Bernal, one person who will benefit is the CEO of the Panama Canal Authority. His family owns the construction company vying for work on the expansion.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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[jeanpauldejanon]

Although we apreciate the US help a lot we are a sovereign and autosificient country that can very well hande the canal expansion. And we are doing a great job in it, actually so good that many internetional organizations have congratulated the Panamenian management of the Canal and its expansion.

[jeanpauldejanon]

It is very clear that none of you have ever done any reserch on the Panama Canal or the Panamenians runing it. It is impressive to me to near such nonsence about the panamanians not being able to run the canal. Clearly you have not done your homework, any of it. I hope you do your homework and realize that the canal is now more than 150% more efficient and productive than it ever was under U.S. management. It is also a thing of territory, in case you did not know, Panama is a SOVEREIGN contry !!

[gobidessert]

Fuck what "we are." We are all humans, we all bare the failure of what we become. We all must work together to fix that.

[soccaman847]

dude, obama wipes his ass with $6 billion, if it wasnt for this canal nobody would give a shit about panama

[Edson6111]

...sou brasileiro de santos porto e esta de parabens o panama por sua expanssão parabens a voces que receberam o que é de direto os americanos são os famosos bons vizinhos que só querem se aproveitar do que os outros tem e ainda por cima extremos racistas e fominhas viva o panama e se puderem me mandem fotos bastante fotos do novo panama abração amigos

[ph11p3540]

Since the Canadian ice packs are melting at an alarming rate I guess the North West passage is a viable alternative. China will get its goods shipped to the rest of the North Hemisphere one way or another.

[panamacartel]

fuck americans viva la soberania de panama

[chsn09]

I feel Panama should have remained as an integral part of Colombia. It belongs to Colombia. LOL !

[chsn09]

Its Panamanian. And also, are you Panamanian ?

[kareklokentrauros]

i ve heard that too... apostoloskobe is right....

After great management and anticipation the greek goverment managed to get the rights of Panam Canal after 2011. ARHS thessaloniki will play at superleague playoffs this year and mpif is going to be payed.-

[apostoloskobe]

who's dead?

[apostoloskobe]

Greek government will manage the Panam Canal after 2011.

US and Panama finally agreed to join GCA (Greek Canal Association), so the Greeks would be the ΚΑΝΑΛΑΡΧΕΣ ( means Masters of the Canal). So guys stop arguing. AEK Athens will win the Trophy this year.